News / National
Teacher under fire for forcing pupils to chant Zanu-PF slogans
21 Nov 2014 at 06:35hrs | Views
A SIKWITI Primary School teacher in Gokwe, Nembudziya, only identified as Chinyama, has come under fire from parents for allegedly forcing pupils to chant Zanu-PF slogans during lessons.
One parent (name withheld to protect the children), alleged Chinyama forced his two children to chant Zanu-PF slogans in class and he has now approached the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum to intervene.
In a letter to the headmaster, Norman Ruzvidzo, dated November 3, the Forum accused the school of violating pupils' constitutional rights by subjecting them to party politics.
"Our client has children who attend school at Sikwiti Primary School. From 2013 to date, we are advised that Chinyama - a teacher at the school - has been abusing our client's children at the school by teaching (names withheld) political slogans, which happen to be Zanu-PF party political slogans during school hours," reads the letter.
The letter further alleges that Chinyama requires "them to chant the slogans during school hours and requiring them to go home and teach their parents the same slogans they would have been taught at school".
"Mr Chinyama's conduct is in clear violation of the constitutional provisions, especially sections 67, political right, 75 right to education, 56 right to equality and no discrimination, and in particular Section 81 which speaks to the rights of children," reads part of the letter from the Forum signed by lawyer Tafadzwa Christmas.
The Forum wants the headmaster to ensure the practice is halted or face legal action, as the teacher's conduct violates children's rights.
"We are hereby requesting your highly esteemed officers to probe this issue and bring to book Mr Chinyama by censoring his conduct," the letter continues.
"Our client's children are being traumatised by his conduct and we are advised they are now contemplating abstaining from going to school.
"This is unacceptable in an open and democratic society like Zimbabwe."
No response could be obtained from the school.
One parent (name withheld to protect the children), alleged Chinyama forced his two children to chant Zanu-PF slogans in class and he has now approached the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum to intervene.
In a letter to the headmaster, Norman Ruzvidzo, dated November 3, the Forum accused the school of violating pupils' constitutional rights by subjecting them to party politics.
"Our client has children who attend school at Sikwiti Primary School. From 2013 to date, we are advised that Chinyama - a teacher at the school - has been abusing our client's children at the school by teaching (names withheld) political slogans, which happen to be Zanu-PF party political slogans during school hours," reads the letter.
The letter further alleges that Chinyama requires "them to chant the slogans during school hours and requiring them to go home and teach their parents the same slogans they would have been taught at school".
"Mr Chinyama's conduct is in clear violation of the constitutional provisions, especially sections 67, political right, 75 right to education, 56 right to equality and no discrimination, and in particular Section 81 which speaks to the rights of children," reads part of the letter from the Forum signed by lawyer Tafadzwa Christmas.
The Forum wants the headmaster to ensure the practice is halted or face legal action, as the teacher's conduct violates children's rights.
"We are hereby requesting your highly esteemed officers to probe this issue and bring to book Mr Chinyama by censoring his conduct," the letter continues.
"Our client's children are being traumatised by his conduct and we are advised they are now contemplating abstaining from going to school.
"This is unacceptable in an open and democratic society like Zimbabwe."
No response could be obtained from the school.
Source - Online
