Education CS Ezekiel Machogu‘s warning against corporal punishment in schools could not have come at a better time, following reports of a brutal assault on a 19-year-old student at Nyabisia Secondary School in Bobasi, Kisii County.
The student, who is currently admitted at Hema Hospital after one of his testicles was removed, narrated how he was assaulted by five teachers, including his maths teacher and the school’s security guard, after being caught in possession of a leaked exam paper.
According to the victim, he was taken to a “torture chamber” where he was tied to a log, both limbs apart, and subjected to a series of kicks and blows that left him in excruciating pain.
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It is deeply concerning that teachers, who are supposed to be role models and mentors to their students, could engage in such barbaric and inhumane behavior.
It is even more concerning that the victim was warned not to report the matter to the school head.
The arrest of three of the suspects is a step in the right direction, and we hope that justice will be served for the victim and his family.
We also call on the relevant authorities to ensure that all schools adhere to the ban on corporal punishment and take strict measures against those who violate this policy.
CS Machogu’s emphasis on the need for education officials to consult with relevant departments before disseminating information to the public is also timely.
This will ensure that accurate and reliable information is shared with stakeholders, and help to avoid misinformation and confusion.
We urge all education stakeholders to work together to ensure that our schools are safe and conducive learning environments for our children.
We cannot afford to let incidents such as the one at Nyabisia Secondary School to happen again
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