Times Of Swaziland: PUPILS SUBJECTED TO ABUSE

PUPILS SUBJECTED TO ABUSE
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The Editor on 05/02/2018 02:27:00


Sir,
Most people use the word discipline as a verb, one that is synonymous with
punishment. One would say: I had to discipline that pupil. I prefer to use it as
a noun that refers to the process of teaching someone the right way to do
something, like: I taught my pupils to have discipline.
If most teachers could understand the difference between discipline and
punishment, we would not be tackling issues of physical abuse perpetrated by
teachers on our lovely children.
I’m a parent of children at Christ the King Primary School in Hlatikhulu.
First of all let me applaud the school for shining and maintaining their 100 per
cent pass rate in the Grade VII results. However, the pupils in this school are
subjected to physical and emotional abuse, to name a few of my observations.
Some of us have been to the school several times to literally beg teachers to be
lenient and be considerate when dealing with the pupils in as far as discipline
is concerned. The school’s administration is doing nothing to protect our
children. Pupils are slapped with open hands, pinched in their arms, ears and
even the lips and cheeks are touched by these teachers who call themselves
professionals. Sometimes our children are pulled by their hair.
Discipline
If a teacher can go to the extent of touching the lips and cheeks of a pupil,
claiming it is discipline, what else will he touch? Buttocks and breasts?
What exactly are they teaching the children; to be bullies, abusers and haters?
The use of corporal punishment is still official at Christ the King Primary
School and children are undressed in front of others in order to be beaten a
countless number of strokes.
This happens in almost all the grades, but there is one exceptional teacher in
Grade VII, who thinks he is above the law. We appeal to the Ministry of
Education to intervene and not be deceived by the 100 per cent pass rate in
Grade VII, which is obtained in very unorthodox and brutal means. Can the
ministry conduct an inspection and deal with the perpetrators before parents
take drastic measures to solve the problem.
Unhappy parent
NOTE: In an effort to afford the school the right to reply, this letter was
emailed to the head teacher. And when a follow-up call was made, she said it was
unfortunate that the parent decided to run to the media to talk to them. She
said there were laid down procedures that are known by all parents of children
at the school, which they should follow when they felt aggrieved. Failing which
parents are encouraged to approach the Ministry of Education to raise their
concerns instead of rushing to the media.
Ed