Enugu moves against schools who show signs of unprofessionalism

From: Petrus Obi, Enugu

The Enugu State government says it would clampdown on private schools in the state who show signs of unprofessionalism in conduct and the running of schools.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze, who spoke to our reporter, in Enugu, on Thursday, described as ‘embarrassing’ the recent incident in the state where a private school brought in the police to threaten primary school pupils for failing to do their homework.

Though the school, Early Dew Montessori Primary School has rendered an open apology to affected pupils, parents and the government assuring that the incident.

But the commissioner, who had earlier visited the school, said although the Proprietor may not have meant any harm, “It is wrong getting armed police into the school and sending children to enter police van as a threat for not doing their homework.

“We know that it is wrong because it could be psychologically damaging to the child. The act is unprofessional and embarrassing to the government.”

Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ify Okonkwo, who addressed a world press conference on the incident, said the police were brought in with good intentions to correct the children and instill discipline in them.

Mrs. Okonkwo who confessed to not considering the implications of her action expressed regrets for adopting such a strategy.

“I want to thank the people of Enugu state especially Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the commissioner for education Professor Uchenna Eze for showing concern in this matter. I also want to use this medium to say sorry to both the government and the pupils for whatever they may have suffered as a result of that action.

“What happened in the school on Thursday 16 of February was to encourage the children to be focused. I brought the police to come and talk to the children and to ginger them to be reading on their own without being pushed.

“In my mind I thought I was doing it to bring the children up in a way they will be attached to their studies. No child was manhandled neither did they point a gun at any of the children.