The supposedly elite Dowen College came under fire in the first days of December after a Twitter user raised an alarm over his little cousin who just died after being allegedly brutalised by some his school mates for refusing to join a secret cult. Right now, it is reported that some of the boys suspected for this abuse are on the run —one has even been allegedly flown out of the country while a Michael Kashamu is supposed to be the son of the well-known Buruji Kashamu.
We are yet to decide which is more outrageous, the idea of secret cults operating in a secondary school or Dowen College’s insensate refusal to take responsibility for what happened to a student of theirs. The school is one of the most expensive ‘elite’ secondary schools in Lagos with tuition fees rising well above ₦1 million per session. For the price parents pay, one may think that these children will have proper supervision and counseling, but it is now clear that even the most expensive schools are culpable in student negligence.
Although Dowen’s initial statement on the matter claims that the school was shocked at the “strange” report that Sylvester was assaulted by fellow students, testimony from the family and opinions about notorious students even in the school tell us that the young man was bullied by some students at the school. If a secondary school in Lagos claims that there is no bullying going on in their school, you definitely need to take a closer look at that school because they are hiding something.
We all know how pervasive bullying in secondary schools has been, and still is. For a school to claim it is totally sanitised of bullying is dubious, especially on the heels of such a controversial tragedy involving a student of theirs. A random reaction on Twitter revealed that schools like Dowen College are infamous for having rowdy students and working hard to protect their image with the hand of influence. If a son of Buruji Kashamu is truly involved in this matter, it is understandable how this school will try to protect the culprits. Buruji is, after all, a once convicted criminal with immeasurable resources at his disposal.
How can rumours of a secret cult emanate from a secondary school and the school is completely oblivious of such news? We also need to ask why such an 'elite' secondary school doesn't have security cameras around, or whether housemasters cannot be afforded. There is clearly a case of pupil neglect here.
Our children need attention and help now more than ever. It is not right to cover up the ugliness of abuse and bullying between students in a school, not when these children are very vulnerable. The violent behaviour that some of these children demonstrate at school reflects, to a large extent, the normalised violence within their households and communities.
Schools, therefore, must take responsibility and form strong partnerships with equally responsible parents, communities, government, religious institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to explore effective ways of addressing bullying in school and outside school.
