We have anti-bullying policies, consequences well spelt out – Dowen College
By Ifeoma Ikem
The principal, Mrs Adebisi Layiwola and school authority of Dowen college at 18, Adebayo Herty Road, Phase 1, Lekki, have expressed shock and sadness at the news of the death of its JSS student.
Layiwola in a statement said the 12year old boy was injured while playing football in the school premises.
“The school authority was immediately alerted by one of the Hostel Parents and the resident registered nurse administered first aid medication on him after which he felt relief and returned to his hostel room.
“The following day being Monday, November 22, 2021 he was inside the classroom receiving lectures until during school break hours when one of his friends accompanied him to the Sick Bay where he complained of some pain in his hip.
“The doctor examined him and prescribed Ibuprofen for the pain, while the nurse massaged his leg, after which he felt a bit better.
According to the principal, ‘in accordance with the school policy, the resident doctor called his mother reporting the incident and requesting that his mother should come for him so that he could get further medical attention.
However, his mother said she was not around that she traveled out of Lagos, but she spoke and prayed on the phone and promised to send his guardian to pick him up immediately for further medical attention.
“The guardian did not come as promised based on what his mother told us, the next day November 23, 2021, the doctor called the mother again and this time, she assured that his guardian would pick him from the school.
“His guardian showed up and took him for X-ray after which the guardian informed the school management that the results of the investigation revealed that no part of his body was broken or injured.
“The resident doctor also called the mother later in the week to check up on his progress but she informed the doctor that he was sleeping at that time.
“The Principal also spoke with the mother on the phone to enquire about his progress and she reported that he was having a massage and gave the phone to him to speak with the Principal.
“It is therefore shocking to read on the social media that he was beaten up by some students and that he specifically mentioned some names”.
She said that the school authority immediately commenced investigations and invited the students allegedly mentioned for interview.
“His guardian was also present during the interviews, which revealed that nothing of such happened.
“The whole incident was strange and unbelievable because:
1 The school has effective anti-bullying policies and consequences that are well spelt out to all the students.
2. The preliminary investigation showed that there was no fighting, bullying or any form of attack on the boy.
3. He made no such reports, neither his sister who is also a student of the school nor any other students, prefects, house parents, medical staff or any of the management staff.
4. The school has two regular nurses and a qualified medical doctor that promptly attend to students’ medical needs.
5 The resident doctor followed the laid down procedure by inviting his mother to take him home for further treatment after initial treatment by the school’s medical staff.
She said the school has a very cordial relationship with the family as he is the fifth child of the family Dowen College has the privilege to train, including his elder sister who is currently a student at the school.
“Furthermore, we state categorically that Dowen College is built on core values of godliness and excellence and will not tolerate any acts of cultism, which is why there is nothing like that and there has never been such deviant activities going on, as this is a faith based school and effective policies are in place to prevent such occurrence.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of this young man who had such a bright future ahead of him.
“We extend our deepest sympathy and heart-felt condolences to his beloved family, relatives, friends, classmates and the alumni family at this very difficult time.