News / Regional
Teacher probed in pupil death
19 Jan 2016 at 05:30hrs | Views
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Matabeleland North is investigating the death of a pupil who collapsed hours after he was allegedly beaten up by a teacher.
Mondliwethu Moyo, a Grade 7 pupil at Mpilo Primary School in Tsholotsho, collapsed after complaining of a headache last Wednesday, hours after corporal punishment was administered on him.
The boy died that evening at home. Police were called and took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post mortem. The Chronicle could not immediately obtain the post-mortem results.
Tsholotsho District Education Officer (DEO), Kelvin Mathe, said they were investigating circumstances leading to the pupil's death.
He said although the family is alleged to have exonerated the teacher, linking the death to evil spirits, they had asked the teacher to write a report as they were concerned following the deaths of two other pupils at the same school under questionable circumstances.
Mathe said villagers were also linking the mysterious deaths at the school to evil spirits. "I can confirm receiving a report on the death of a pupil who was reportedly beaten up by his teacher on that particular day. Corporal punishment is not allowed. It's alleged that the teacher beat up three boys on that day, three strokes each," said Mathe.
"After about two hours, a pupil reported to their teacher that Moyo was complaining of a headache. The teacher called Moyo to come forward but he then collapsed before getting to his teacher."
The DEO said the late pupil's parents were called to the school and took the boy home.
"His condition deteriorated later that evening resulting in his death. He died as they prepared to take him to the clinic," he said.
"Last year, there was reportedly another death, where two pupils fought and hours later one of them died. In another incident, another pupil collapsed at the school playgrounds and died after a shortwhile."
Mondliwethu Moyo, a Grade 7 pupil at Mpilo Primary School in Tsholotsho, collapsed after complaining of a headache last Wednesday, hours after corporal punishment was administered on him.
The boy died that evening at home. Police were called and took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post mortem. The Chronicle could not immediately obtain the post-mortem results.
Tsholotsho District Education Officer (DEO), Kelvin Mathe, said they were investigating circumstances leading to the pupil's death.
He said although the family is alleged to have exonerated the teacher, linking the death to evil spirits, they had asked the teacher to write a report as they were concerned following the deaths of two other pupils at the same school under questionable circumstances.
Mathe said villagers were also linking the mysterious deaths at the school to evil spirits. "I can confirm receiving a report on the death of a pupil who was reportedly beaten up by his teacher on that particular day. Corporal punishment is not allowed. It's alleged that the teacher beat up three boys on that day, three strokes each," said Mathe.
"After about two hours, a pupil reported to their teacher that Moyo was complaining of a headache. The teacher called Moyo to come forward but he then collapsed before getting to his teacher."
The DEO said the late pupil's parents were called to the school and took the boy home.
"His condition deteriorated later that evening resulting in his death. He died as they prepared to take him to the clinic," he said.
"Last year, there was reportedly another death, where two pupils fought and hours later one of them died. In another incident, another pupil collapsed at the school playgrounds and died after a shortwhile."
Source - chronicle
