Mother Speaks Out: My Son’s Ear Injured by Teacher’s Brutal Repeated Slaps at School
In an exclusive interview with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI, Mrs. Adenike Okunlaya, a widowed mother, shared her emotional account of how her three-year-old son, a pupil at Christ-Miltos Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos, was repeatedly assaulted by his female teacher. She also discussed the challenges of raising her son alone since her husband’s death three years ago.
Can you walk us through what happened?
The incident occurred on Monday, January 6, 2025. I am also a teacher at the same school, where I teach Nursery Two, while my son is in Nursery One. On that day, I was in class when I suddenly heard someone shouting, “Write six; write six.” Later, a colleague showed me a video on her phone, which I then shared with a friend. I had no idea the video would spread further from there.
Had your son mentioned any previous incidents with the teacher?
Yes, he had told me on multiple occasions that the teacher hit him. I initially dismissed it as typical discipline, not thinking much of it since the woman was my colleague. However, after seeing the video, I was deeply upset and decided to share it with my friend, who then passed it on to others. That’s when it went viral.
Did you confront the teacher or report the incident to the school?
No, I didn’t directly confront her. Instead, I showed the video to my pastor, who escalated the matter to the headmistress. I was heartbroken over how my son had been treated and am now seeking justice.
What was the school’s reaction once the video went public?
The school management was upset upon seeing the video. They had always emphasized to teachers the importance of not using corporal punishment. They had repeatedly warned us not to hit children.
There have been reports that the teacher had a history of such behavior. Is that true?
Yes, it’s true that the teacher had been known to discipline children harshly, and my son wasn’t the only one. But I can’t speak for other parents who may have reported her before.
Did your son require medical attention following the incident?
Yes, we had to take him to Ikorodu General Hospital, where doctors confirmed that his ears were injured. We were referred to a specialized department for further examination, and a medical report was issued, which has been submitted to the Owutu Police Station. We’re planning to take him to the ear-care department once we visit the Ministry of Youths and Social Development later today. I am solely focused on getting justice for my son.
We heard the teacher was dismissed. When did that happen?
Yes, she was dismissed on Tuesday, the day before the police arrested her.
It’s been reported that the school confiscated your phone. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, the school took my phone on Tuesday after I received numerous calls related to the video going viral. People were contacting me with various questions, so the school seized my phone for a while. It was returned to me on Thursday.
You mentioned being a widow. Can you tell us more about your situation?
It’s been three years since I lost my husband. He passed away leaving behind our son, and I have been solely responsible for raising him ever since. I take on various menial jobs, such as teaching at the school, washing clothes, and cleaning houses to make ends meet. Despite the financial strain, I have always ensured that my son’s school fees are paid on time.
