It’s time government and human right organisations arise and save minors from adults who mistreat them. Recently, we heard about Hanifa Abubakar, a five-year-old, who was kidnapped and killed by her school proprietor. A year ago, Zino, a two-year-old, from Warri Delta State was maltreated by his dad and step mum. They locked him up in a dark room and starved him of food until the neighbours informed the police. Some days ago, it was Obinna, 19-month-old from Asaba, whose teacher was alleged to have flogged him to death for playing with water and getting wet.
What’s this world turning into? Flogging a child of 19 months. What does a child of two years know? A child of two years does not know his right from left. In the olden days, a child of two years would be strapped to his mother’s back, sucking breast milk from time to time.
A 19-month-old is considered a toddler. They are expected to play, move around under the supervision of a vigilant and responsible adult. It’s so unfortunate, this is another death that would have been stopped. What was the teacher thinking about and why flogging the infant 31 times. Was the teacher a normal human being?
Toddlers at this stage are expected to be protected from harm and not teachers and care givers hurting them. It is also the responsibilities of the care givers, teachers, adults and parents to stop the child from hurting himself. The adults around are supposed to instruct, remove things on the way and be longsuffering.
Parents and guardians, take these precautionary measures: keep your child with people or institution where they will take proper care of them. Leave your child with who you trust.
Do not put your child in an unapproved school. Pray for your children and be nosy about everything concerning them.
School owners, let your teachers and other workers take mental tests. Ensure they can handle kids and are patient enough.
Government and ministries of education, continually give the teachers in private and public schools seminars relating to child care.
Human right groups should arise and frequently announce the right of a child.
