A former teacher in the UK, Ernestina Quainoo, has been permanently barred from ever teaching again, following the resurfacing of a dark secret from her past.
In 2008, Quainoo, originally from Ghana, was implicated in the smuggling of a 14-year-old girl into the UK. Promised a brighter future and education, this young girl was instead forced into domestic servitude.
For 18 long months, she was subjected to cooking, cleaning, and caring for Quainoo’s children, receiving no pay and stripped of her freedom. Deprived of schooling, friends, and even proper clothing, the girl languished in misery and despair. Her nightmare came to an end when she fell ill and courageously escaped for medical help, leading to police intervention and the revelation of the horrifying truth. While Quainoo’s husband faced prison time, she only confronted lesser charges related to immigration offenses.
Fast forward to 2019, Quainoo appeared to have turned a new leaf, securing a teaching position at a primary school. However, her past caught up with her in 2022 when the school discovered her previous conviction. Although she resigned, authorities initiated an investigation.
This year, the Teaching Regulation Agency delivered a decisive blow, permanently banning Quainoo from teaching. Her case stands as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of background checks and the enduring impact of human trafficking.
