By Tinoonga Mawere, Masvingo|A teacher at Runyararo Primary School in Chivhu bashed a grade six pupil and fractured her hand protesting against poor working conditions and the tutor reportedly voiced out President Robert Mugabes name during the furor.
The teacher identified as Jaquiline Shonhiwa assaulted the child with a long stick all over her body. After the assault the pupil sustained a swollen hand and her guardians brought her to schools on the following day. She was taken to a private hospital where a plaster was placed on her fractured hand.
The incident happened early this month a few days before the closing date (of schools).
According to reports from the school Shonhiwa told the pupil she was beating her in protest against bad governance by the Mugabe regime.
“Shonhiwa told the child the Mugabe administration must address the economic challenges in the country but I think it is a bit unfair to vent our anger on innocent children,” said another teacher at the school.
Although police in Chivhu said they had not received such a report, Chikomba District Education Officer, Ngoni Mujuru said the matter was under probe.
“There is a team looking into the matter but we are yet to get the finer details ,” said an evasive Mujuru.
Educationists expressed fear the failure by the government to pay civil servants’ bonuses could compromise the education standards as frustration creeps into the crucial education sector.
There are also indications that teachers are likely to compromise service provision and parents now fear their children would be affected in the process. The government has all but failed to pay civil servants’ bonuses and even the uniformed forces usually preferred ahead of other government workers are yet to get their bonuses .