The Ministry of Primary and Secondary education says that it has received reports of alleged abuse of pupils at Riverton Academy in Masvingo. In a statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Tumisang Thabela says on-going investigations relating to the allegation have established that about 79 students at the institution were caned on 12 November 2018.
The school head a Mr H. Mushandu indicated that the students were canned for misbehaving on the night of 11 November 2018 between 2200 hours and 2300 hours.
However, the Ministry’s regulations regarding the discipline of learners prohibit caning or spanking. The Constitution of Zimbabwe also outlawed caning, considering it degrading and inhumane. Thabela had this to say
The Head of the school and administration staff are expected to act in loco parentis all the time and to institute any corrective measures where there is the case of indiscipline in a professional and acceptable manner.
Learners are expected to conduct themselves well at all times and to focus on education.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that appropriate action will be taken against any offending parties in the alleged abuse of learners.
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