Edo Government Closes Two Schools, Arrests Principal After Student’s Tragic Death

The Edo State Government has withdrawn the operational licences of two private schools and ordered the arrest of a school head following the tragic death of a 12-year-old pupil, Nathan Paul Spencer.

Nathan reportedly drowned on Saturday, July 5, while on his way to sit for the Middle Basic Assessment Examination, also known as the First School Leaving Certificate Examination, during a heavy downpour in the state.

The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, who led a government delegation on a condolence visit to the grieving family, confirmed the closure and arrest on Tuesday.

According to Iyamu, investigations revealed that the management of Nathan’s school had registered him to write the examination at another school in a different local government area without notifying his parents. Nathan, a resident of Ovia Local Government Area, was trekking to Egor Local Government for the exam when he fell into a flooded gutter and drowned.

“The Head of the school collected money from Nathan’s parents and, without their knowledge, took him to another centre far from home. The child died due to gross negligence,” Iyamu stated.

The Commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them that justice would be served.

In a related development, two other private schools are facing closure after allegedly extorting illegal examination fees from over 200 students. The schools were reportedly operating an unauthorized examination center and funneled payments through the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) system without proper authorization.

The situation left many students stranded in the rain before Ministry of Education officials intervened.

Dr. Iyamu called on parents to remain vigilant and avoid handing their children over to unapproved school operators.

“We are committed to ensuring that those who endanger the lives of our children in the name of education face the full weight of the law,” he said.