Tragedy was averted on Wednesday when a teacher at the Secondary Technical School, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia state identified as Mrs. Harbour, almost lost her life as she was beaten by one Miss Mercy Obodorukwu, said to be child of Chief Harris Oboroukwu who was recently handed over the school by the Abia state government.
Trouble started for Harbour who now serves as the head of the government teachers in the school when she gathered her colleagues to complete a data form said to have been directed by the secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).
Mercy allegedly invaded the classroom where the teachers were gathered and ordered to leave the filing of forms as it is not important. She resisted appeals made by Harbour that the teachers be allowed to complete the forms and returned and rather pushed her down as the latter (Harbour) fell awkwardly and nearly passed out as she was raised up by her colleagues who took her into the office.
As a result of the development, the teachers staged a protest march to the office of the Deputy Director, SEMB in Aba. They lamented that they have been subjected to untold suffering since the Abia state government handed over the ownership of the school to Obodoroukwu.
A cross section of the teachers who pleaded anonymity lamented that Mercy and her brother known as Jaro have become a threat to smooth running of the school as they molest teachers and students without cause.
A teacher who handles one of the Science subjects alleged that Mercy and Jaro walked up to her while she was teaching and scolded her that she should be sure of what she is teaching the students or be thrown out as they are now in charge.
She added that most teachers in key subjects like Economics, Biology, Literature- in- English, Physics and Igbo have been transferred out without replacement, lamenting that coupled with the maltreatment being meted out to students; parents are gradually withdrawing their children from the school.
They also accused Obodorukwu’s children of assuring the students that they will move to the next class whether they pass or fail their exams.
The teachers told 247ureports.com that a Senior Secondary 1 student almost died as a result of inhaling a chemical substance given to her during a class by Obodorukwu’s child, Onome who handles Chemistry, adding that were later revived at the hospital but has since been withdrawn from the school by her parents.
When our correspondent visited the school, Obodorukwu’s children were said not be around. Two policewomen stationed at the gate queried our correspondent on his mission, asking him to return another day.
