Rivers govt suspends activities in school over pupil’s death

By Davies Iheamnachor

Rivers State Government has ordered the suspension of all academic activities in a private school in the state.

The government took this decision following the death of a two-year-old female pupil within the school premises last month.

The pupil died under controversial circumstances during school hours at Wisdom Gate International School in the Eligbolo area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Whereas the management of the school claims that a book fell off the shelf and killed the girl, the family of the victim insists that a shelf in the classroom fell on the girl, resulting in her death.

Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, ordered the suspension of academic activities on the affected campus of the school.

Nwagor, who disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt, said the ministry has interfaced with the management and family of the victim, ordering a closure of the facility until all issues around the death are resolved.

He said: “The Rivers State Ministry of Education has carefully evaluated the tragic incident that occurred at one of our approved schools, Wisdom Gate International Schools, in Eligbolo, resulting in the death of a two-year-old girl on the 17th of March, 2026.

“While we deeply sympathize with the parents of the child over the irreparable loss, and respect their privacy during these moments of grief, we appeal to members of the public to do same and avoid speculations.

“As a Ministry, we have interfaced with the management of the school and conducted our own independent investigations into the incident.

“Consequently, Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, is hereby suspended from operations and shall not resume academic activities until all issues surrounding the matter are fully resolved.”

Nwagor stated that the Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring standard care, safety and sustainability, while it continues to provide quality assurance in public and private schools.

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