The Anambra State Government announced that it has ordered the immediate closure of Upcoming Star International School, Awka due to the alleged bullying of a seven-year-old student.
This was revealed in a statement made late on Tuesday by the state’s commissioner for education, prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh. She also stated that the state government took action in response to a report claiming the student’s classmate had reportedly broken her leg.
According to Chuma-Udeh, the student suffered a broken leg as a result of bullying from a classmate, and when the proprietor of the school was called in for an investigation, it was found that the institution did not even have the necessary permits to operate.
She said, “The pupil was bullied by her classmate, which caused her to break her leg, and the matter was reported to the ministry.
“The school proprietor, Uche Onyeachona, was invited for questioning and he admitted that the offense was committed in his school.
“It was also discovered that the school was not approved by the state government.
“The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, however, directed that the school be sealed before 2 pm today.
“This is because the continued existence of such illegal schools has been causing mayhem to children in the state.”
Nonetheless, the commissioner cautioned parents against sending their wards or children to unlicensed schools.
She warned that proprietors of illegal schools would be handed over to law enforcement agents for contravening the laws of the state.
