A teacher, Ishmael Famous, who was brutally attacked and stabbed in the left eye by a student of Asuoso Senior High School in Offinso, Ashanti Region, has expressed deep regret over his decision to pursue a career in teaching.
The incident, which occurred last year, has left Mr. Famous traumatised, prompting him to question whether he would have been better off in another profession.
“It is not as though the student was in class and I sent him out. No. We simply encouraged students outside the classroom to come in and learn,” he recounted in an interview with Adom TV.
Mr. Famous described the terrifying moments leading up to the attack, explaining that he did not witness the initial confrontation. “I didn’t see the fight. I was so confused—all I heard was that some people were shouting that he (the student) was going to kill me with the knife. He slashed my neck and head twice before finally stabbing me in the eye,” he narrated.
Following the attack, his colleagues quickly rushed him to a hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment. However, a medical examination confirmed that his left eye had been permanently damaged due to the severity of the wounds inflicted by the student.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has strongly condemned the attack and is demanding justice for Mr. Famous. GNAT has urged law enforcement authorities to ensure that the student responsible faces prosecution for his actions.
The association insists that Mr. Famous is entitled to workman’s compensation, emphasising that he suffered the grievous injury while carrying out his lawful duties as an educator.
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of teachers in Ghanaian schools, with many calling for stricter measures to protect educators from violence. Education stakeholders, including teacher unions, have reiterated the need for improved security in schools to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As discussions continue, Mr. Famous remains in distress, struggling to come to terms with the attack that has changed his life forever.
