Student Sentenced After Stabbing Teacher

​The Brikama Magistrate’s Court has delivered a landmark verdict in a case that has deeply unsettled the Gambian education sector, sentencing a former student of Yunus English School to three years in prison.

​Magistrate Peter Adoh Che handed down the sentence to Fatima Jarju on Thursday, July 9, 2026, following a six-hearing trial that concluded with guilty verdicts for attempted murder and causing bodily harm. In addition to the three-year custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of D300,000.

​The ruling stems from a violent confrontation on December 10, 2025, when Jarju allegedly attacked her teacher, Mr. Jatta, with a knife at the Yunus English School campus. The incident, which resulted in significant injuries to the educator, triggered widespread public discourse regarding the deteriorating safety standards within schools and the escalating tension between students and staff.

​During the trial, the case drew significant attention due to the teacher’s refusal to withdraw the charges despite reported external pressure to settle the matter privately. The final proceedings were marked by a heavy presence of students and teachers who gathered at the court to signal their solidarity with Mr. Jatta, underscoring growing calls for institutional protection for educators.

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​The verdict serves as a stern warning against violence in academic settings, as stakeholders continue to grapple with the rising frequency of disciplinary challenges and campus unrest.

​Watch coverage on school safety and educator protection

​This video provides important context regarding the broader regional discussions on the safety of educators and the urgent need to address school discipline and conflict resolution.