Grade 7 pupil expelled over teacher abuse, obscene language

Raymond Jaravaza

A Grade 7 pupil from Robert Tredgold Primary School in Bulawayo has been expelled after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of four charges, including verbally abusing a teacher, assaulting fellow learners, and using highly offensive language, such as telling a classmate their parents “drink tea inside a condom.”

The charges relate to incidents that occurred in February and March this year.

According to a charge sheet seen by Zimpapers, the 13-year-old pupil (name withheld) was accused of using vulgar language to insult his class teacher.

“On 27 March 2025, the learner used vulgar language towards his class teacher (name withheld), referring to her as ‘a dog’ and ‘a lesbian’. On 26 March 2025, he insulted a fellow Grade 7 pupil (name withheld), using vulgar language and claiming that the pupil’s parents were prostitutes, adding that ‘they drink tea inside a condom’,” the charge sheet reads.

In another incident, the pupil physically assaulted and injured a fellow learner.

“On 19 February 2025, the pupil assaulted another learner (name withheld), striking him on the eye and mouth, which resulted in facial swelling.

“On 27 February 2025, while a senior teacher (name withheld) was reprimanding the boy for beating another pupil (name withheld), he again displayed disruptive behaviour.”

Following these incidents, the disciplinary committee recommended the pupil’s expulsion from Robert Tredgold Primary School, effective May 13, in order to restore order and discipline within the school environment.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro, confirmed the expulsion of the pupil from the Bulawayo school.