Pupil beaten to coma by teacher in Anambra passes away

A student from Landmark International School in Mgbakwu, Awka North, Anambra State, Henry Okonkwo, has died after being beaten into a coma by a teacher.

According to reports, the boy passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, 23rd May, 2024.

Faith Nwonye, the school teacher was arrested for allegedly beating the eight-year-old pupil into a coma on Monday.

Nwonye was called by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, to explain what happened on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Chuma-Udeh expressed sadness about the incident and said that the doctors gave the boy only a 20 percent chance of survival.

She also mentioned that the school was operating illegally and that beating a child was a serious crime. She warned that those running illegal schools and harming children would face severe consequences. The teacher and the school’s proprietor, Mrs. Promise Ilo, were both called in for questioning.

The school was temporarily closed while an investigation began. The teacher admitted to hitting the child but said it was not as bad as people were saying.

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The police took over the case, and the boy remained in the hospital’s intensive care unit until he died early Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, the commissioner posted on her verified Facebook page, expressing her sorrow over the boy’s death.

She wrote, “He was a boy like any other, with hopes and dreams. He went to school for a better future but met a terrible end at the hands of those who were supposed to help him.

“An unqualified teacher in an illegal school beat him to death. We mourn the loss of Henry Chukwuemeka Okonkwo. We mourn and we seek justice.”