The Edo State Government has revoked the operational licenses of two private schools following the tragic death of a 12-year-old pupil, Nathan Paul Spencer, who drowned while on his way to sit for an examination.
The State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, disclosed the action during a condolence visit to the grieving parents. According to him, Nathan died last Saturday during a heavy downpour while en route to write the Middle Basic Assessment Examination, commonly referred to as the First School Leaving Certificate Exam.
“Edo State Government has shut down two schools after a 12-year-old student, Nathan Paul Spencer, died while on his way to sit for the Middle Basic Assessment Examination on Saturday, the 5th July 2025,” Iyamu said.
He explained that an investigation revealed the boy’s school had registered him to write the examination at a different centre without notifying his parents. The head of the school had allegedly collected the registration fee and took Nathan from his school in Ovia Local Government Area to another school in Egor LGA. It was during the trek that Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned.
“Furthermore, it was revealed that the Head of the school had taken the registration fee from Nathan’s parents in Ovia Local Government and had negligently taken the child to another school in Egor Local Government for the examination.
“Tragically, Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned during the heavy rain when he was trekking from the local government to another,” he added.
In addition to revoking licenses, the government has arrested the head of one of the affected schools. Commissioner Iyamu delivered Governor Monday Okpebholo’s condolences to the bereaved family and assured that those responsible would face justice.
The commissioner also revealed that two other private schools are under scrutiny for collecting unauthorized fees from over 200 students and diverting payments meant for the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account.
These schools reportedly left pupils stranded in the rain until state officials intervened.
He urged parents to take a more active role in supervising their children’s education and to beware of unlicensed or dubious school operators.
