Form taskforce to probe corporal punishment - Machogu told

The umbrella body representing parents of school-going children has called for the formation of a taskforce to probe corporal punishment in schools.

This comes amidst a rise in cases of corporal punishment which have found their way back to schools.

National Parents Association Chair Silas Obuhatsa said the recent cases have shown teachers take the law into their hands.

"Teachers have been terribly punishing and injuring young children in schools without any reasonable cause," Obuhatsa said.

The chairperson said parents are wondering why their children are being subjected to such crude actions in schools where they ought to be safe. 

In a recent spike of cases, a high school student in Kisii lost a testicle following an injury he incurred during an alleged corporal punishment. 

"A taskforce with come up with measures that will advise the Ministry on what steps to take to rescue learners," he said.

The KCSE candidate from Bomachoge Borabu is said to have been found in possession of scribbled notes during a Business paper exam.

In another case, parents of Joypot Primary School in Kiambu County sought justice after their children were severely caned by teachers.

The private school has two campuses in Kamondo village, Githunguri sub-county, and Kawaida Cianda village in the Kiambaa sub-county. 

One of the boys was severely caned, injuring his backside, while the second one allegedly had his testicles squeezed leaving him with injuries.

Obuhatsa now says the Ministry of Education should urgently form a task force to probe such incidences.

"As parents we want the Ministry of Health to come up with a program where all teachers have to undergo mental examination," he said.

Further, he backed CS Ezekiel Machogu's calls to deal with teachers found sneaking corporal punishment back into schools.

The task force he said should include the Ministry of Health, Parents, and the Ministry of Education among other stakeholders.