In this interview with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI, widowed mother of a three-year-old pupil assaulted by a female teacher at Christ-Miltos Primary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, Mrs Adenike Okunlaya, recounts how the incident played out and her daily struggles to fend for her son since her husband’s death three years ago.
Can you explain how the whole incident happened?
The incident happened on Monday (January 6, 2025). I am also a teacher in the school. I teach Nursery Two, while my son is in Nursery One. On that very day, I was in my class while my colleague, the teacher in question, was also in her class. Suddenly, I heard, ‘Write six; write six’. Later, another colleague brought her phone to show me the video. So, I sent it to my phone and forwarded it to one of my friends.
Before then, have there been instances of such from the woman?
Yes, my boy usually complained to me that the teacher beat him often, but I thought it was just the usual spanking. I didn’t take it seriously because the woman was my colleague at work. However, when I saw the video, I felt sad. That was why I sent the video to my friend, who shared it with another person. I guess that was how the tape got leaked.
But when you saw the video, did you challenge the teacher or make an official complaint to the management office?
No, I didn’t challenge her, and I did not make any report. I only showed the video to my pastor, who reported the case to the headmistress. I felt bad about the way my son was treated. All I want is justice for him.
When the video surfaced on social media, what was the response of the school management?
They felt really bad because they had always warned the teachers against beating the pupils. They always told us not to beat children.
Some people said the teacher was fond of beating children in such a manner. How true is this?
Regarding that, truly, the woman often beats children a lot.
But has any parent complained of such before yours happened?
Well, I can’t say. But the school management always warned us, and even the women, to stop beating children. Most times, they told us during meetings that parents were complaining and that we should stop beating their children.
Was your son hospitalised after the assault?
Yes, we had to take him to the Ikorodu General Hospital. The doctor said his ears had been affected. So, they directed us to a department in the hospital for a medical check-up of his ears. The doctors gave us a medical report, which is still with Supo Bola at the Owutu Police Station.
We plan to take the report to the ear-care department once we get back from the Ministry of Youths and Social Development today (Friday). The commissioner asked us to bring the boy today (Friday). All I am after is to get justice for my son.
We learnt that the management of the school sacked the woman. When did that happen?
They sacked the teacher on Tuesday before the police came to arrest her.
We heard that the school seized your phone. When did that happen, and have they returned it?
Yes, they seized it on Tuesday because people called me endlessly through the phone as the video went viral. Those who called were asking me all sorts of questions. I guess that was why the school seized the phone. But they returned it to me on Thursday.
We learnt that you are a widow. When did you lose your husband?
It has been three years now since he died. We only had this son before he died. Since he passed, I have been fending for the son myself. I engage in all manners of menial work just for us to survive. I teach in the school and help people wash dirty clothes and clean their houses. Despite my struggles, I did not owe any tuition fees.
(Punch)
