Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Hwange
SCHOOL heads can legally administer corporal punishment on errant learners under certain circumstances, but teachers who beat pupils risk going to jail, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has warned.
Addressing school heads from Matabeleland North at Coalfields Primary School in Hwange on Friday, Minister Moyo said heads who resorted to corporal punishment must strictly follow legal requirements, including recording each incident and giving reasons for the action.
He said teachers, however, had no such authority and warned that some educators had already found themselves behind bars after beating learners.
“I’m sure you’re aware that corporal punishment is illegal. But if you read the statute closely, there are certain clauses where, as a head, you are able to apply corporal punishment.
“It means you have to record that you are applying corporal punishment, you need to have a logbook and give reasons why you are doing that. Teachers are not allowed to apply corporal punishment. Some teachers have gone to jail for beating learners,” said Minister Moyo.
Minister Moyo’s warning came as he challenged school heads to tighten discipline in schools while ensuring that learners were protected from abuse, intimidation and violence.
He said there could be no meaningful learning environment where pupils did not feel safe.
“There can be no quality education where children are unsafe, intimidated or subjected to violence.
“I therefore expect every school head to maintain zero tolerance for sexual abuse, bullying, corporal punishment, examination malpractice and every form of conduct that undermines the dignity, safety and rights of the child,” said Minister Moyo.
The Minister said school heads carried a major responsibility in balancing discipline with the protection of learners’ rights, urging them to ensure that all disciplinary measures were carried out within the confines of the law.
The interface with Matabeleland North school heads was part of Minister Moyo’s engagement with the province’s education sector, with adherence to ministry regulations, discipline and preparedness for public examinations among issues under discussion.
Bongani Ndlovu