By Alex Gahima
One family in Kisoro Municipality is seeking Justice for a 14 year old child who was earlier this week beaten and injured by two teachers at Real Quality Primary School.
The minor whose identity has been concealed allegedly escaped from school on Saturday night after being beaten by two teachers, for allegedly going to the Primary Seven class to borrow a book.
The minor is in primary Six at Real Quality Primary School located in Kisoro Municipality.
Mother to the boy, Angella Uwera says, it is unbelievable for two teachers to beat up a child to such an extent.
Angella says, a Police case has been filed for torture and grievous bodily harm.
According to Uwera, Her family including her mother Feddy Kabanyana and her brother Obarido went to the school that same night to find out what could have happened at school to lead to such brutality from teachers.
“As soon as we got to the school, my brother and my mother were attacked by two other teachers and a night watchman, I don’t understand what we have done to deserve such treatment, Uwera explained.
The School Proprietor who is also the Kisoro district Speaker Amos Hakizimana refused to comment on the matter.
Kisoro Police Community Liaison Officer Boaz Arinaitwe confirmed that Police had received a complaint from the family and is now carrying out investigations.
Arinaitwe says, teachers need to hand pupils and students with care adding that the two year recess from schools due to Covid-19 has left a big gap in terms of ethics and professionalism.
Kisoro district Probation and Welfare officer Moira Kampire says, the district authorities are outraged by the actions of the two teachers who seriously injured the minor.
Kampire says, such occurrences will discourage young learners from wanting to go back to school.
“We have decided to meet with the parents of the child and the school management committee to find a way of resolving the matter, however it is important to note that corporal punishments were outlawed in this country, therefore teachers must be wise in the well tested approach of Spare the rod and spoil the child”, Kampire explained.
It is illegal in Uganda, under the Children Act CAP. 59 which bans corporal punishment and calls for protection of children from all forms of violence and yet many teachers and parents, especially in rural areas continue to abuse it.
Frank Rwego, a counselor with Kisoro district Hospital says, Government needs to consider prioritizing Counseling and psychosocial support to all schools across the country because such issues are going to become very common.
Rwego says, the lockdown exposes both teachers and learners to conditions never experienced before and many have become hardened, without any fear, caution or remorse for their actions.
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