Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha on Saturday, July 23, castigated the brutal assault of a class Eight boy from Nyamninia primary school, Gem sub-county who was captured in a viral video showing wounds inflicted on him by his teacher for failing to attain over 400 marks.
Speaking to the media after inspecting CBC classes at Wagwere Mixed Secondary School, Magoha condemned the actions and called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to strike the tutor of the roll.
Further, the CS ordered the TSC to crack the whip on tutors who continue to use corporal punishment on children, yet it remains outlawed.
"It is totally against the law to apply any stick on a child, my personal opinion notwithstanding. It is savage to cane a child like an animal."
"For those teachers, irrespective of their number, the TSC will deal with them. But for the police, you have work to do to ensure they face the full force of the law," he stated.
Magoha noted that the only reason for a teacher to lay a hand on a child is only in self-defense cases.
"If I cannot cane a child, who do you think you are to do so? If we gave you the same examination, would you score over 400 marks?"
"The only instance where a teacher can touch a child is in a case of self-defense where the child is threatening to harm the teacher because some of our children are rowdy and maybe tempted to injure our teachers," he stated.
According to Yala police boss, Charles Chacha, two teachers from the school were apprehended and would be arraigned on Monday, July 25, to answer to charges. In addition, he confirmed that the file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further action.
The video, which went viral on Saturday, July 23, caused an uproar among Kenyans online who called upon the Ministry of Education to take action against the teachers and also provide psychological support to the pupil.
"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 young pupil lamented as he weighed his options after the brutal beating.
