Outcry in Damongo as pupil undergoes surgery after an alleged assault by teacher

A Basic 5 pupil of Falahiyat E/A Primary School Block “A” in Damongo is receiving medical treatment at St Anne’s Catholic Hospital in the Savannah Region after allegedly being assaulted by his class teacher over poor academic performance.

The child’s father, Abdul Wahidu Mahama, said the incident occurred on Tuesday 20 January after the teacher marked a homework assignment.

According to him, his son scored two out of eight and was among several pupils reportedly punished for low marks.

Mahama said the teacher allegedly ordered the affected pupils to lie on dual desks in the classroom before flogging them with what he described as a wire cane.

“My son tried to shield himself with his hand, but the teacher continued to beat him and verbally abused the children because of their low marks,” he said.

He explained that the boy began complaining of severe pain in his hand the following day, Wednesday 21 January.

Initial home treatment did not ease the pain, prompting the family to take him to St Anne’s Catholic Hospital, where he was admitted.

Doctors later recommended surgery. The procedure was carried out on Tuesday 27 January at about 10:00 a.m., after the child had been placed on medication.

Mahama alleged that since the incident, the teacher involved has not visited the child at the hospital. He said the teacher only came to the family’s home on Sunday 25 January in the evening after the child’s mother reached out.

Meanwhile, the headmistress of the school, accompanied by another staff member, has visited the hospital to check on the pupil’s condition.

The father has appealed to the Ghana Education Service, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

“This is about protecting our innocent future assets,” he said.