Online Reporter
Nqobizitha Moyo
RECENT disturbing cases in Zimbabwe, involving a teacher exposing learners to pornographic material and another accused of sexually abusing male students in Bulawayo, have shaken public confidence in the education system.
As an educational psychologist, I do not view these incidents as isolated acts of misconduct, but rather as warning signs of deeper systemic gaps in teacher recruitment, monitoring, and student protection.
Schools are meant to be safe havens that nurture both intellectual and emotional growth.
When educators violate this trust, the psychological damage inflicted on learners can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, impaired academic performance, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships.
The betrayal by a trusted authority figure compounds the trauma, making recovery even more complex.
These incidents highlight the urgent need to rethink how we select and manage individuals entering the teaching profession.
Academic qualifications alone are not sufficient. Teaching is a profession that demands emotional stability, ethical integrity, and psychological fitness. Therefore, I strongly advocate for mandatory psychometric assessments for all prospective teachers. Such evaluations can help identify harmful personality traits, behavioural risks, and emotional vulnerabilities before individuals are placed in positions of authority over children. Beyond recruitment, there must be continuous professional development focusing on ethics, child protection, and mental health awareness. Schools should also establish confidential reporting systems that allow students to safely report abuse without fear of victimisation. Regular psychological audits and supervision of teachers can further strengthen accountability.
Importantly, integrating mental health support services within schools, including access to counsellors, will ensure that learners have a safe space in which to process their experiences and seek help.
Ultimately, safeguarding students requires a proactive, multi-layered approach.
If we are serious about protecting our children, we must prioritise their psychological safety just as much as their academic success.
· Nqobizitha Moyo is an Educational Psychologist
