…State Commissioner Condemns Corporal Punishment in Schools as Post-Mortem Report Awaits Release
The Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, sent a second delegation to console the family of Monday Arijo, a student who tragically passed away following corporal punishment by a teacher at Obada Grammar School, Idi-emi.
Led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the delegation emphasized the state’s commitment to preventing such incidents and reiterated its stance against corporal punishment in schools.
Prof. Arigbabu expressed the government’s resolve, warning all teachers in Ogun’s public primary and secondary schools to cease corporal punishment practices.
“The state government has set up a committee to investigate this tragic incident and prevent a recurrence, not only in Obada Grammar School but across the state,” he said.
“We’ve made it clear—corporal punishment has no place in today’s educational environment.”
Reaffirming the government’s policy, Prof. Arigbabu continued, “This is about adherence to a world standard. We are not saying discipline has no place in schools; rather, there are effective, non-physical means of guiding students.”
Prof. Arigbabu assured the public that strict monitoring and sanctions will be enforced for any violations, adding, “Teachers must follow protocol.
This is not a matter we take lightly, and sanctions have already been applied to both the involved teacher and the principal. Our efforts now are not only to address this tragedy but also to educate all stakeholders.”
The state government has suspended the implicated teacher and principal, emphasizing its support for the grieving family and vowing additional measures to prevent similar incidents.
On behalf of the family, Mr. Abdullateef Oduntan stated their focus on ensuring this tragedy leads to a safer environment for students.
“We are not interested in pursuing legal actions against the government. What matters to us is that this incident serves as a lesson, so no family endures similar pain,” he said.
Also in attendance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, Special Adviser on Education to the Ogun State Governor, reiterated that the government would continue to support the family during and after the mourning period and ensure a child-friendly school atmosphere statewide.
As investigations continue, a post-mortem conducted by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta is expected to provide conclusive information on the cause of Monday Arijo’s death.
