The Kwara State Government has disciplined a teacher at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin, for assaulting a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
The incident reportedly occurred when the corps member visited the school to collect her clearance letter. A source familiar with the situation stated that the altercation began when a teacher accused the corps member of not greeting properly. The source said, “A teacher said she did not greet well, and that was how it all started. The teacher beat her and tore her clothes.”
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of corps members posted to the state. The NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Lembu, confirmed that the matter has been reported to the relevant government agency and is under investigation. She added, “The issue has been reported to the appropriate Government agency, and an investigation is underway. In the meantime, the corps member will be reposted out of the school for her safety.”
A press statement issued by Sam Bola Onile, Press Secretary of Kwara TESCOM, revealed that the investigation found the teacher, Hamzat Fatimoh Nike, guilty of unprofessional behavior. The statement noted, “In a joint statement by the Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, and the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar, the investigative panel set up on the matter found Hajia Hamzat Fatimoh Nike guilty of fighting on duty, use of foul language, insubordination, and disrespect for the national identity which the uniform of the corp members represents.”
The government has demoted the teacher by two-grade levels, transferred her to another school, and mandated her to attend counseling sessions. The statement further emphasized, “The State Government will not tolerate such abuse under any guise. The Government deeply regrets the action of the teacher and reassures the management of the National Youth Service Corps that the development did not represent the people of the State, and it will not happen again.”
Teachers in the state were urged to adhere to public service rules and conduct themselves professionally. The statement concluded, “It urged teachers in the state to remain law abiding at all times by performing their duties in accordance with the laid-down procedure as the State Government will continue to prioritise training on teaching ethics and procedures of service.”
