Three teachers have been taken into custody following a tragic fire at a Quranic school in Sinchu Alagie that claimed the lives of two young students.
The head teacher, Ebrima Hassan Cham, along with Alagie Jobe and Omar Cham, were arrested as authorities investigate what led to the deadly blaze. According to police, preliminary findings revealed a disturbing detail: one of the teachers admitted that two boys had previously tried to escape the daara and were later returned by their parents. In an attempt to stop them from running away again, the boys were reportedly chained and locked inside a dormitory—the very room where the fire broke out.
The victims were identified as 12-year-old Abubacarr Mbacke and 11-year-old Muhammed Njie.
In response to the incident, police issued a strong warning to all Quranic schools across the country, urging them to prioritize fire safety and ensure the wellbeing and protection of every child in their care.
This heartbreaking event has sparked widespread concern about the treatment of children in informal religious schools and the need for better regulation and oversight.
