WHIPPED PUPIL RE-HOSPITALISED

LOMAHASHA – The condition of the Mbokojweni Primary School pupil, who has been bedridden following severe whipping by two teachers, has aggravated as she has since been readmitted to hospital.

The pupil (15) was discharged from hospital last Tuesday after spending seven days receiving treatment for a reportedly injured spinal cord.
Her condition seemed stable after she was discharged from hospital but it degenerated on Friday afternoon, prompting her family to rush her to Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki.

Enock Shongwe, a guardian of the pupil, revealed that the pupil had since been transferred to the Mbabane Government Hospital, where she is receiving treatment.
“She became weak and unable to talk and, as a result, we rushed her to hospital.

“She was complaining of severe pain on her back,” Shongwe said, while also stating that the family wished that their daughter could recover soon.
Queeneth Masilela, the Head teacher at Mbokojweni Primary School, said the school’s administration was aware that the pupil had been readmitted to hospital.

She said the school administration assisted the family in transporting the pupil to the Mbabane Government Hospital from Good Shepherd Hospital.
Masilela said she was also praying that the pupil recovers, adding that the last time she checked on the pupil, she was reported to be in a stable condition.

The pupil was whipped by two teachers for allegedly withholding information regarding her classmate’s absenteeism.
In an interview last Thursday, the pupil said she collapsed immediately after being whipped by the teachers.
She said her classmates helped her get home.

Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to the police and they said the teachers could face charges should investigations prove that they committed a crime.
Also to be informed of the incident was Lubombo Regional Education Officer (REO) Wellington Mdluli.

In another development, social media users and organisations have criticised the teachers.
Save the Children, an organisation which advocates the protection of children’s rights, said last Thursday that the ministry should respond appropriately on the issue of teachers who violently whip pupils under the guise of meting out corporal punishment.

Senelile Khumalo, Save the Children Communications Officer, said the ministry should ensure that all schools embrace positive discipline as per the Education Sector Policy of 2010.

“The Education Sector Policy of 2010 emphasises that every school, by the year 2015, should have embraced positive discipline. We urge the ministry to ensure this and we further pledge our support in ensuring that positive discipline is embraced by all schools in the country,” said Khumalo.

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