The Edo State Government has withdrawn the licences of two private schools following the death of a 12-year-old pupil, Nathan Paul Spencer. The government also arrested the head of one of the affected schools.

Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased. He said: “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, July 5, 2025.

“The tragedy occurred during a heavy downpour that caused severe flooding in the area. An investigation revealed that the management of the pupil’s school had registered him to write the examination at a different school without informing his parents.

“Furthermore, it was revealed that the head of the school had taken the registration fee from Nathan’s parents in Ovia Local Council and negligently took the child to another school in Egor Local Council for the examination.

“Tragically, Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned during the heavy rain while trekking from one local council to another.”The commissioner expressed displeasure over the incident and delivered Governor Monday Okpebholo’s deepest condolences to the family. He added that the state government would ensure that those responsible for the pupil’s death are held accountable.

Meanwhile, the commissioner hinted that two other private schools would be shut down for allegedly collecting illegal fees from over 200 students without government authorisation.

He, therefore, advised parents to monitor their children closely and not entrust them to hustlers disguising themselves as school owners.