By Habeeb Ibrahim
A Lagos State University (LASU) scholar, Dr. Ganiu Bamgbose, has called for a comprehensive review of policies guiding the Nigerian school system while advocating the pardon of a teacher who was caught on video slapping a three-year-old pupil multiple times.
The incident, which sparked outrage online, was condemned by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, prompting widespread discussions about student welfare and teacher accountability.
In a detailed article, Dr. Bamgbose highlighted systemic issues contributing to the abuse of students in Nigerian schools. He pointed out that many teachers in private schools are untrained professionals lacking the patience, empathy, and other soft skills required for effective teaching.
“A banker is trained at the point of employment. A medical graduate serves as a houseman. Sadly, anyone with content knowledge is assumed to be good enough to be a teacher,” he noted, urging schools to prioritize the recruitment of certified teachers and regular training programs.
The don also criticized the poor remuneration of teachers, particularly in private schools, as a factor undermining their motivation and performance.
He argued that teaching is a demanding profession requiring sensitivity to individual student needs, a task made harder by low or delayed salaries. “Only a properly motivated teacher would be at their best with such an onerous task,” he emphasized.
Dr. Bamgbose further urged the government to establish more schools to ensure access to free basic education and curb the proliferation of substandard private schools. He called for stricter enforcement of standards for school operations, emphasizing the need for qualified staff and adequate facilities.
The role of the media, particularly social media, was also addressed. While acknowledging its power to expose abuses, Dr. Bamgbose criticized individuals and bloggers for prioritizing economic gains over social change. He expressed concern over how the viral video of the incident was recorded without intervention.
“The advent of social media has made it easy to track and trace happenings, but bloggers appear more interested in posting news for profit than for societal improvement,” he said, urging media regulation and enlightenment on the sanctity of the fourth estate.
Concluding his piece, Dr. Bamgbose appealed to the Lagos State government to pardon the implicated teacher, Stella Nwadigo, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation over punishment. “Man is not made for law; law is made for man. The not-so-young teacher can be taught empathy by being pardoned,” he wrote.
Dr. Bamgbose’s call comes amid growing debates on the state of education in Nigeria, highlighting the need for systemic reforms to address both teacher welfare and student protection.
