Following the death of a five-year-old pupil, Chidera Eze, during a swimming lesson in May 2022, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba.

The little boy was said to have drowned during the swimming lesson while in the custody of the school.

It was gathered that he and his peers were playing close to the pool during the training when he slipped into it.

Some teachers and caregivers of the school had taken Chidera and his peers to the Ivory Health Club, Ikeja for a swimming lesson.

The deceased’s father, Mr Anthony had blamed the death of his child on the recklessness and negligence of the school officials.

Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo in a statement said the school will remain closed, pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.

While she mentioned that the Police is investigating the matter; the commissioner revealed that a preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.

She reiterated that the school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded while she advised parents to note the closure and wait for the conclusion of the administrative investigation.

“The Ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention,” she said. (Daily Trust)

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