Staff
Reporter
Reporter
BIKITA – Jaravaza Primary School
head, Sithole allegedly beat and seriously injured a nine-year-old girl whom he
accused of stepping on a flower bed.
head, Sithole allegedly beat and seriously injured a nine-year-old girl whom he
accused of stepping on a flower bed.
The school head reportedly used a thick
bamboo stick to mete out the savage corporal punishment on Miriam Chinhovo,
leaving the girl nursing a broken arm after being admitted at Silveira Mission
Hospital.
bamboo stick to mete out the savage corporal punishment on Miriam Chinhovo,
leaving the girl nursing a broken arm after being admitted at Silveira Mission
Hospital.
Bikita District School Inspector (DSI)
James Mahofa said he heard about the incident but was yet to get a formal
report from Sithole.
James Mahofa said he heard about the incident but was yet to get a formal
report from Sithole.
“I am yet to get a full report and
investigate the issue. The case is somehow complex because I had to call the
school head after getting informal reports. I am still waiting for the head to
submit his report and I will then visit the school to make my own
investigations,” said Mahofa.
investigate the issue. The case is somehow complex because I had to call the
school head after getting informal reports. I am still waiting for the head to
submit his report and I will then visit the school to make my own
investigations,” said Mahofa.
Provincial Education Director (PED)
Zedius Chiriga condemned the incident saying it was not permissible to beat
school children.
Zedius Chiriga condemned the incident saying it was not permissible to beat
school children.
“We heard about the issue and we
are worried by the conduct of the school head. It must be noted that corporal
punishment is illegal. We are making investigations and appropriate measures
will be taken,” said Chitiga.
are worried by the conduct of the school head. It must be noted that corporal
punishment is illegal. We are making investigations and appropriate measures
will be taken,” said Chitiga.
The pupil’s guardian Darikai
Mashoko, who is also the child’ guardian, confirmed the incident saying his
granddaughter was in serious pain.
Mashoko, who is also the child’ guardian, confirmed the incident saying his
granddaughter was in serious pain.
“She told us that they were
cleaning the toilets but when the bell rang, they rushed to the classes and
made a shortcut through the flower beds. The headmaster then flogged and
injured her badly,” said Mashoko.
cleaning the toilets but when the bell rang, they rushed to the classes and
made a shortcut through the flower beds. The headmaster then flogged and
injured her badly,” said Mashoko.
He said Sithole initially agreed to
settle the medical expenses for the treatment of the child but he later refused
to pay.
settle the medical expenses for the treatment of the child but he later refused
to pay.
“We had agreed that it was an
accident and the head would pay for the medical expenses but when the child got
admitted at Silveira, he changed his mind and refused to pay. We reported the
matter to the police who said we must go and settle the matter out of court.
accident and the head would pay for the medical expenses but when the child got
admitted at Silveira, he changed his mind and refused to pay. We reported the
matter to the police who said we must go and settle the matter out of court.
“They asked us to dialogue and the headmaster
again agreed to pay but nothing has been paid to date. I used my own money to
have her treated. Miriam is now fearful of school and has refused to go back,”
said Mashoko.
again agreed to pay but nothing has been paid to date. I used my own money to
have her treated. Miriam is now fearful of school and has refused to go back,”
said Mashoko.
In early 2017, High Court Judge
Justice David Mangota declared corporal punishment illegal in school and at
home, saying it violated the rights of children. It seems, however, that many
teacher, parents and guardians are still wantonly violating the law.
Justice David Mangota declared corporal punishment illegal in school and at
home, saying it violated the rights of children. It seems, however, that many
teacher, parents and guardians are still wantonly violating the law.
