A 12-year-old boy Master Nathan Paul Spencer has d!ed after he was swept away by flood on his way to write the Middle Basic Assessment Examination in Uselu community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, who confirmed the incident on Monday, July 7, said the State Government has withdrawn licences of two schools following the tragic d3ath of the minor.
Iyamu, who disclosed this during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased, said the head of one of the schools was also arrested in connection with the incident.
He explained that two of the schools were shut down over the d3ath, while the two others were closed down for allegedly collecting illegal fees from over 200 pupils.
“We’ve also withdrawn the licenses of the two Schools in connection with the d3ath of the minor. Further action would be taken to effect consequence on the management” he said.
According to him, the pupil’s d3ath occurred during a heavy downpour that caused severe flooding in the area.
He said investigation into the incident revealed that the management of the pupil’s school had registered him to write the examination at a different school without informing his parents.
“It was revealed that the Head of the school had taken the registration fee from Nathan’s parents in Ovia Local Government but negligently took the child to another school in Egor Local Government for the examination.
“Tragically, Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned during heavy rain,” he said.
The Commissioner, who expressed condolences to the victim’s family, assured that those responsible have been held accountable.
Responding, the father of the deceased, Mr. Paul Spencer, told the commissioner that he was unaware that his son’s school had registered him to write the examination at a location far from home.
He however expressed appreciation to the state government for its support in the time of grief.
