A teacher at Asuaso Senior High School(SHS) in the Offinso North Municipality of the Ashanti region. Ishmael Famous has said he regrets taking up the profession.
This comes after an altercation with a student led to losing his left eye.
Recounting the incident in an interview with Adom News, Ishmael said it was a normal Monday morning.
His task was simple; to make sure that food vendors weren’t selling to students during class hours.
But what started as a routine duty soon spiraled into an unimaginable nightmare that changed his life forever.
“I had stepped outside to carry out my responsibility when I noticed two students in the canteen. In a bid to maintain order, I approached them, attempting to send them away.
“What was meant to be a gentle reprimand soon escalated, as I made a move to scare the students away with my cane. But one of the students didn’t back down. Instead, the situation took an unexpected turn, and the student responded aggressively, initiating a violent altercation,” he recounted.
The next few moments were now blur for Ishmael.
But what’s crystal clear is the injury that followed; a blow that left him with severe damage to his left eye, ultimately leading to blindness.
In an act of retaliation, the student attacked the teacher, stabbing him in the eye.
“I never imagined something like this could happen,” Ishmael said, his voice heavy with regret and disbelief. I wish I could go back and stop it, but it’s too late now,” he said.
The traumatic experience not only robbed Ishmael of his vision but also stripped him of the sense of safety he once had at his workplace.
It was a violent moment that shook him to the core, one that made him vow never to confront a student in such a way again.
The news of Ishmael’s injury sent shockwaves through his family.
Known for being a reserved, quiet man, they were devastated to learn that he was caught in such a horrific situation.
“I never thought I’d be the victim of something like this,” he shared, his voice tinged with sorrow. “It was a shock to everyone, especially my family. I’m the last person they would expect to be involved in such an incident,” he stated.
Life has become exceedingly difficult for Ishmael in the aftermath.
The physical pain from his injury is just the beginning. The emotional toll, the stigma, and the overwhelming sense of isolation have taken a heavy toll on him.
“I had to pay for my own medical bills, and it feels like I’m living in a constant battle,” Ishmael explained. “It’s not just the injury, it’s everything that came with it — the judgment, the whispers behind my back, the people who look at me differently,” he said sadly.
This story of a teacher’s pain, both physical and emotional, serves as a stark reminder of the fragile line between authority and respect, the often unseen consequences of violence, and the lasting impact of trauma.
For Ishmael, life at Asuaso SHS will never be the same. Neither will he.
“I just want to move forward,” Ishmael said quietly. “But it’s hard when you’re living with something that constantly reminds you of that day.”
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