Africa-Press – Tanzania. NGUJA-based Sunni Madrasa School is subject to an intensive enquiry over an alleged recent physical abuse of pupils at the hands of their teachers at the school premises.
Education and Vocational Training Minister, Mr Simai Mohammed Said told reporters on Saturday that he is forming an inquiry committee whose terms of reference are expected out possibly tomorrow to probe the daunting incident.
He said the ministry’s permanent secretary-chaired board will among other issues investigate the school ownership, working relationship between the school’s parent board and management as well as the school’s history of abusive events.
“Our intention is neither to close the school nor punish all teachers; but we have to get deep to the truth and ensure justice prevails,” Minister Simai said, adding: “The (education) ministry is entrusted with the security and safety of all children at schools.”
The committee will draw its members from the ministry, Zanzibar Teachers’ Union (ZATU), Zanzibar Association of Private Schools and other key stakeholders, the minister said.
Prior to his statement, the minister played a scary CCTV video, which showed teachers roughing up children and forcefully shaving them. One footage shows a teacher slapping, kicking and boot-kicking a little boy to the ground.
“This is very dangerous; and the teacher is doing all that with a pair of scissors on his hands. That is criminal,” he said. But, Minister Simai condemned in the strongest terms, the parent who reportedly attacked the teacher in revenge.
The minister said the government has not taken side with anybody and is determined to see justice prevailing.
“It’s the responsibility of the ministry to protect all school children,” he said, adding that all schools—public and private—are operating under the rules and guidelines provided by the ministry.
He decried an unbecoming tendency of some private schools perceiving themselves as independent and free to do whatever they wish.
The minister further dismissed as unfounded claims by ZATU that the ministry is favouring the rowdy parent at the expense of the victimised teacher.
ZATU Deputy Secretary General, Mr Salim Ali Salim on Friday accused the ministry of bias against teachers, arguing that the government, teachers, parents and all stakeholders have to embrace cordial collaboration instead of hostility for the best interest of the children.
Education Ministry’s Acting Registrar of Education and Secretary of Educational Council, Ms Zuwena Mataka Hafidh condemned the indiscriminate use of corporal punishment in schools, saying it was against the country’s educational policy.
“Yes, corporal punishment is permissible in Zanzibar’s educational system but there are guidelines on how to apply it,” said the registrar, elaborating that only the school heads are allowed to administer 10 strokes of a cane on a pupil or assign their subordinates to give the maximum of six strokes.
Meanwhile, the ministry has banned boarding education for primary schools in Zanzibar, citing an alarming rate of child abuses in the learning premises.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Ali Khamis Juma, said here yesterday that effective next year, no school will be allowed to operate boarding education at primary level.
“We have allowed them a grace period of these remaining months of the year but effective next January no boarding primary school will be allowed,” he said.
