Tension broke out at a private school in Ibadan when a concerned mother stormed the premises to confront school staff over allegations that her four-year-old daughter was beaten for defecating on herself during school hours.
In a heated exchange with the school authorities, the mother expressed disbelief and anger, saying, “That you have to beat a four-year-old. She has never pooed on her body. I don’t believe so. Please, let me use that mic I’m using to call the teacher. Because there is no way she has ever pooed on her body in school. She has never done that.”
She further defended her parenting and toilet training methods, insisting, “Get her to poo before coming to school. She poos before coming to school. You’re not the one that will teach me how to potty train my child.”
The woman accused the school of creating a hostile environment for preschoolers by discouraging them from using school toilets. “So is that why it’s normal? My daughter messed herself up because you told them not to go to the school toilet,” she said.
She explained that her daughter was confused and frightened after being told during the school assembly not to defecate at school. “My kid got home and told me you hit her for pooing on her body. Which is understandable. But the only thing that is not understandable is the fact that you told them on their assembly that they should not poo in school. And as a four-year-old, I’m sure she does not understand that when she feels pressed like that, she should go and meet her teacher and tell her.”
The teacher did not deny the statement, replying, “I told them on their assembly. Yes, that they should not poo in school. I went to address the children.”
The school management justified the policy, citing frustration among cleaning staff and broader systemic challenges. “I’m busy with exams. We have to write exams… Did you see the last message? I’m going to talk about the frustration of the cleaners concerning the way the children are going in and out of the toilet,” a school representative explained.
She added, “Do you know how many children are in this school? They should try and toilet train their children. Do you know the meaning of toilet training? Toilet training means teaching a child to use the toilet at appropriate times.”
According to her, the child had already soiled herself by 9 a.m., prompting concern. “I was shocked that by 9 o’clock in the morning she had already messed herself up. What does that mean?”
The situation escalated when the school official commented on the child’s diet and age: “There are certain things that children can eat that will irritate their stomach. Your daughter is too old to be messing herself up.”
The mother, visibly upset, replied, “So our children should not poo. Please, I’m not your student. Don’t be rude.”
The incident has sparked debate over early childhood hygiene policies and the responsibilities of schools in managing young children’s needs without shame or corporal punishment. Many are calling for better communication and more compassionate handling of such sensitive issues.
