You would think anyone who had formal education – now as at any other time – fits the standard portrait of a modernist. Even more so if the person were a teacher, with responsibility for imparting knowledge and modern values to younger ones. Some teachers at the Government Day Junior Secondary School in Kulende area of Ilorin, Kwara State, have, however, shown how you could be a ‘stone age modernist’ if you permit that expression.
The school in the Ilorin East council area came in the news recently for reported assault on a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by teachers, who allegedly beat her up and shredded her clothes for failing to greet them ‘properly.’ Reports said the youth corps member had on November 28th gone to the school, which was her place of primary assignment, to pick up her clearance letter when she was assaulted by a teacher named Mrs. Hamzat Fatima Nike for allegedly not having enough sense to grovel in greeting her. Hamzat was reportedly supported by another colleague in raining slaps on the petrified corps member and tearing up her white NYSC T-shirt, which apparently they perceived as her ego fuel.
News of the incident sparked public outrage and raised concerns about social decency, professionalism and abuse of power in Kwara schools, with many people demanding a probe and stiff requital for the corps member’s assaulters.
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The service corps confirmed the incident. Spokesperson for the agency in Kwara State, Morakinyo Oladipo, said the scheme wanted redress for the corps member and had reported the matter to the state government through the supervising Ministry of Youth. Meanwhile, the corps member was being reposted, “at least to calm her down and to help her overcome the trauma,” the spokesman further said, adding: “We’re expecting investigation and proper action to be taken against the people that abused the corps member, who is on national assignment. Necessary steps will be taken to the extent that the law allows against the people concerned.”
The state government confirmed its intervention in the matter it ruled unacceptable to modern society, with Education Commissioner Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu vowing justice would take its course. When the hammer fell last week, Hamzat was demoted by two grades and posted out of the Kulende school, according to the Kwara Teaching Service Commission that said she was found guilty of misconduct.
Hardball thinks it isn’t only Hamzat who needs sanctioning but also all accomplices including the teacher who joined her in assaulting the corps member, and school administrators who allowed an environment for the assault without instant in-house reprisal. It is a school, but apparently one where the officials themselves need schooling on ethos of modern living.