The Lagos State Government shut down Smiley Kids Montessori School on Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, where a two-year-old reportedly died following a swimming pool incident.
The deputy director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Kayode Sutton issued a statement on Saturday explaining why the closure of the school was necessary to enable the government to carry out preliminary investigations into the death of the minor.
Kayode said the government was deeply pained by the death and had extended condolences to the child’s family. He noted that the proprietor of the school, the head of nursery section and the pupil’s teacher were being interrogated by the police.
The pool instructor and two care givers were also being interrogated, Mr Kayode Sutton added. “The state government appeals to school owners and caregivers to comply with safety regulations to prevent accidents in schools and the entire state”, he concluded.
Recall that the mother of Rapheala Ogbodo, the minor who allegedly drown in a swimming pool had taken to social media to demand answers over her baby’s death.
“Smiley School International, Sangotedo, Lagos Island, please, bring her back. We cannot bear this alone,” the bereaved mother wrote on her X handle with a photo of her daughter attached.
“Please, if you have your child in that school beware. They lied they were closed due to maintenance. I lost my Pinky Ella.”
Following her outcry, the Lagos State Safety Commission said its officials, the Office of Education Quality Assurance, and the Ministry of Education have visited the accident scene “to conduct a preliminary investigation and ascertain the root cause of the unfortunate incident.
“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the State Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences,” a statement from the agency read.
