64 Katsina Students Hospitalised After Schistosomiasis Medication, Teachers Allegedly Beat Some for ‘Mischief’
By: Zagazola Makama
About 64 students of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Batagarawa, Katsina State, have reportedly been hospitalised after developing health complications following the administration of medication intended for the treatment of schistosomiasis, amid disturbing allegations that some teachers beat students who were showing signs of illness, accusing them of being mischievous.
The incident, which occurred on October 26, 2026, has drawn attention to the safety of students during school-based medical interventions, the adequacy of medical supervision and the handling of children who developed complications after receiving treatment.
Information available to Zagazola indicated that the affected students developed symptoms including vomiting, dizziness and abdominal pain after receiving the medication.
Some students were reportedly unconscious upon arrival at medical facilities, prompting their evacuation for urgent medical attention.
The affected students were taken to General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital in Batagarawa, Katsina General Hospital and Turai Yar’Adua Hospital, where they received treatment.
But beyond the reported medical complications, a deeply troubling allegation has emerged regarding the treatment of the students while they were struggling with the symptoms.
Teachers allegedly began beating some of the students, accusing them of being mischievous and pretending to be sick.
If true, such conduct would represent an appalling failure of responsibility towards children who were potentially experiencing serious medical complications.
The allegation that teachers responded to these symptoms with physical punishment rather than urgent assistance is particularly disturbing.
At a time when children should have been receiving reassurance, medical attention and protection, some were allegedly subjected to violence and accusations that they were faking their condition. This is unacceptable.
A school is entrusted with the safety of children whose parents expect them to be protected, especially when they are participating in a health intervention organised or administered within the school environment.
Zagazola calls on the Katsina State Government to launch an immediate investigation, publish its findings and take decisive action to ensure that such an incident never happens again.
The welfare of children must never be sacrificed to administrative negligence, medical oversight or the reckless assumption that a sick student is merely being mischievous.
The Katsina State Government must therefore move beyond routine explanations and establish exactly what happened.
The incident demand an immediate and independent investigation by the Katsina State Government, particularly the Ministries of Education and Health. The authorities must establish the exact medication administered to the students, its dosage, the number of students who received it and whether the administration followed approved medical protocols.
The government must determine whether the students were properly screened before receiving the medication, whether consent and appropriate medical supervision were provided, and whether the health intervention was conducted by qualified personnel.
The authorities must investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported complications, including whether the symptoms were related to the medication, another medical condition or any other factor.
The alleged beating of students must be investigated separately and thoroughly too.
The government should establish which teachers were involved, what they did, whether any students sustained additional injuries and why children reportedly showing symptoms of illness were accused of mischief.
If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate disciplinary and legal action should follow.
