A teacher, Mrs. Faith Nwoye, who flogged a nine-year-old pupil to death, has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by the court.

The special court handling Women and Children-related matters in Awka delivered the sentence. The incident occurred at Landmark International School in Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The deceased, Master Henry Okonkwo, has been buried in his hometown, Igbakwu, in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State. The pupil died in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Awka after being beaten into a coma by the teacher.

Commiserating with the Okonkwo family, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, expressed condolences on behalf of the Education family and the State Government for the heavy loss

Chuma-Udeh, represented at the burial by the Director of Schools in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeneke, regretted that one of the State’s hopefuls was lost in a manner that could have been avoided. According to her, Henry’s death could have been prevented if he had been enrolled in an approved school with qualified teachers.

She reminded residents that Governor Chukwuma Soludo had declared the operation of illegal schools in the State as criminal.