Teacher goes into hiding after ‘beating 10-year-old pupil to death’

Parents of Mukandamia Primary School in Solio, Laikipia County yesterday withdrew their children from school after a standard three pupil died after allegedly being beaten by a teacher and classmates.

The male teacher who is also the deputy is reported to have ordered the deceased girl’s desk mates to beat her on Thursday last week after she could not read in class.

A parent at the school, Ms Mary Wanjiku, said the pupils were ordered to teach their colleague and beat her up if she could not read.

“The desk mates were ordered to teach her how to read and beat her if she could not. The teacher started hitting her on the back when the girl said she could not read,” said Ms Wanjiku.

TEACHER INJURED THE GIRL

Parents who learnt of the incident from their children claimed that the teacher injured the girl before ordering the classmates to beat her up in what appears to be a move to cover up his earlier actions.

The girl is said to have reported to the headteacher that she was unwell and requested to go home where she lived with her 86-year-old grandmother.

“I visited the girl at home and she looked very weak and complained of abdominal and back pains. She said she was beaten by her teacher and classmates,” said Ms Ann Wairimu, a neighbour.

Parents leave after a meeting at Mukandamia Solio Ranch Primary school in Laikipia county on January 30, 2017. Parents withdrew their children from the institution following allegations that a Standard Three pupil was beaten to death by her male class teacher. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI

On Sunday, the girl’s condition worsened and was rushed to a hospital in Naromoru town by the neighbour, Ms Wairimu who said she was vomiting blood. She died while undergoing treatment.

The matter regarding the child’s beating was reported at Naromoru police station but no arrest has been made yet.

Kieni East OCPD Michael Mbaluku confirmed that an assault report was made but noted that the child’s death is yet to be reported.

“The death has not been reported yet but we understand the child died in hospital and the doctors cannot ascertain the cause from physical examination. Once the postmortem is done we’ll know the cause and the necessary steps to take,” said Mr Mbaluku.

PUPILS QUESTIONED

He also noted that the pupils who were in class have been questioned as they search for the teacher who has since gone into hiding.

The area Sub-county Director of Education Kamemba Kamande said that investigations are underway but confirmed that no disciplinary action has been taken against the teacher.

“At the moment we have not taken any disciplinary action against anyone but should we find any of the teachers culpable then we will take action. The police are already handling the criminal aspect of it,” said Mr Kamande.

Parents on Monday also protested that this was not the first time a child reported having been beaten severely by the same teacher.

“I transferred my child from the school after he was beaten badly by the teacher and there many others who have the same complains. We demand that all the teachers be replaced by others who are more human,” said Mr Simon Mureithi, a parent.

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