By Maria Famakinwa
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Reactions have continued to trail the circumstances that led to the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen college, Lekki Lagos. Social media influencers and notable Nigerians were startled and deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident. They expressed their anger and called for justice in the matter.
It would be recalled that late Sylvester, a boarding student was allegedly attacked by some senior students of the college and sustained internal injuries that resulted to his death. This has led to the closure of the college by Lagos State government to allow for thorough investigation.
The Hope spoke with some parents whose children are in boarding schools to get their views on the development. A trader, Mrs Kudirat Odunbanjo, whose two children are in boarding school outside the State revealed that since she read about the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Sylvester, she had not been herself.
She said: “Since I read about the tragic death of Sylvester, I have been considering withdrawing my children from boarding school. When I discussed it with my husband, he supported it. What I am thinking now is to allow the one sitting for Junior School Certificate Examination to finish his exams, after which he would leave the school. However, the one in senior secondary school 1 is not returning to that school next term.
“Some of my friends whose children are in boarding schools have called to tell me that their children are not resuming in the same school next session. The untimely death of Sylvester is enough warning for the wise,” she said.
Sharing a similar sentiment, a businessman, Mr Omotayo Abel, who has two children in a boarding school outside the State lamented that the death of Sylvester had brought to the fore misdemeanor ongoing in most boarding schools.
He said: “Where were the management and hostel teachers saddled with the responsibility of taking care of these students to guide them against the antics of the senior students? Where were they when the senior students were torturing and bullying the junior students?
“I have made up my mind that my children are not returning to the school next session. Though the school management have been sending messages to parents assuring them of their children’s safety I am not convinced. If Sylvester’s school management could attempted to hide the truth which was obvious, who else can one trust?
“What happened to Sylvester could have happened to any other child in a boarding school. The truth is that boarding school system is no longer advisable. I can not risk my children’s lives. I pray the Almighty God comfort the Oromonis.”
Also, an accountant, Mr Elechi Eboh, who revealed that he changed his child’s school last year due to what his 13-year-old daughter who is in boarding school complained about, maintained that most boarding schools in the country are not properly managed to prevent bullying and protect junior students.
The man, while calling for justice to be served regarding Sylvester’s murder, expressed concerns that bullying and other forms of maltreatment have become ugly trends in the nation’s boarding schools.
His words: “There were several incidences of bullying and abnormal behaviours in boarding schools across the country that were not investigated by relevant authorities. I changed my daughter’s school last year when she revealed how she was treated by senior students in the hostel. They sent them to fetch water and wash their clothes which the child must do, otherwise, he/ she would be punished. Most times, they knelt down under the sun. When the compliant was becoming unbearable, I changed her school to the one close by so that she can be going from home. She was very happy and is doing well academically better than when she was a boarding student. As it is now, boarding schools are not advisable. Senior students have taken over, subjecting the junior ones to beating, bullying and punishment. Sylvester case was a sad example.”
Another parent, Mrs Bolaji Akintade, who also called for justice for Sylvester noted that most boarding school students especially those in Junior classes are going through hell from their so called Senior ones with the school management doing nothing to address the situation.
She called on parents to show more interest in what their children are doing and most times engage their children who are in boarding schools to get more facts from them. She also called for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in all schools. “Being a boarding student does not guarantee success. It is better to be a day student and live,” she said.
Another parent, Mr Olukayode Olukunle, who also insisted of withdrawing his child from boarding school disclosed that his child has been begging him to change his school before now.
He said: “My child is not always happy anytime is going to school after holiday. He always complained bitterly of how the senior students are treating them aside the fact that some of his items were stolen.
“If Sylvester, a student of Dowen College that charges high school fees could be killed in that manner, how much more other boarding schools that are not as expensive as Dowen College. Honestly, I am not comfortable having my son in a boarding school anymore,” he said.