Update 19:11pm: Two teachers from Nyamninia Primary School in Gem sub-county have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a Standard Eight pupil for failing to attain 400 marks.
The two teachers are being held at Yala police station and will be arraigned on Monday to answer to assault charges.
A viral video of a standard eight boy lamenting and showing injuries inflicted by his teacher after he allegedly failed to score at least 400 marks has caused an uproar in the country.
The widely shared video captured the Nyamninia Primary School in Yala, Siaya County, a pupil complaining and contemplating dropping out of school after being subjected to corporal punishment.
According to the pupil, a teacher whipped him brutally for failing to get the set score, leaving him nursing serious body injuries.
The pupil argued that he had been subjected to the same corporal punishment for a period of time by a teacher who wanted him to hit 400 marks.
"The more I continue persevering, the more they continue beating me. I have endured for 11 years, but right now, I can't take it anymore," the boy lamented as tears rolled down his cheeks.
"They are beating me like this because of 400 marks? They should just let me achieve what I am capable of achieving but not force me to get 400 marks. What should I do now?" wondered the pupil.
The outrage triggered by the incident has compelled the Ministry of Education to initiate immediate action.
Speaking on Friday, July 20, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Basic Education, Julius Jwan, stated that the teacher had been identified and apprehended.
Jwan added that County Education officials have since visited the school to investigate the matter.
"A video has been going around of a learner being punished by teachers for not attaining 400 marks. It's so bad. We have narrowed down and identified the school, investigations are ongoing," Jwan stated.
“Sending children home for the motivational fee is not acceptable as well, principals sending students home for such should stop."
Corporal punishment was outlawed in Kenya in 2001 when the Children's Act was enacted.
Experts behind the push for the abolition of corporal punishments argued that instead of changing students' behaviour, it creates resentment.
They further observed that it damages the relationship between students and teachers.
Despite rising cases of indiscipline in schools, education stakeholders have maintained that corporal punishment is not permitted.
