Savannah Region: Basic 5 Pupil Hospitalized Following Alleged Assault by Teacher Over Poor Grades
A Basic 5 pupil from Falahiyat E/A Primary School in the Savannah Region is currently recovering at the Damongo St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital after an alleged assault by a class teacher left him in need of surgical intervention. The incident, which occurred on January 20, 2023, has sparked outrage in the community and raised urgent questions regarding student safety and the use of corporal punishment in Ghanaian schools. The young boy was reportedly targeted and severely punished after failing to meet academic expectations during a homework marking session. According to reports from the child’s father, Abdul Wahidu Mahama, the teacher, identified as Mr. Fatawu, became incensed when the pupil scored only 2 out of 8 on a classroom assignment. In a severe display of disciplinary action, the teacher allegedly forced the boy to lie across desks before flogging him and several other classmates with a wire cane. The severity of the punishment resulted in the child experiencing excruciating pain that home remedies could not alleviate. Upon being admitted to the hospital, medical staff recommended immediate surgery, which was successfully performed on January 27 to address the internal injuries sustained during the ordeal. The victim’s father has expressed profound disappointment not only in the violence his son endured but also in the subsequent lack of accountability from the perpetrator. While the school’s headmistress has shown concern and visited the hospital to check on the pupil's progress, Mr. Mahama noted that the teacher involved has made no attempt to contact the family or visit the child since the incident. Consequently, the family is formally calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Police Service to intervene, seeking justice for the assault and ensuring that such actions are met with appropriate legal and professional consequences. This incident highlights a growing concern for child welfare across the country, occurring alongside broader national efforts to protect children from various forms of abuse. Recent advocacy by groups such as the Raissa Child Protection Initiative (TRCPI) has emphasized that both boys and girls require equal protection and awareness, particularly as young boys often suffer in silence due to societal stigma and lack of support systems. As authorities investigate the case in Damongo, child rights advocates continue to push for educational environments where children can learn without fear of physical harm, urging a nationwide shift toward more humane and effective forms of school discipline.