Sironko District, Uganda – A Primary 2 pupil of Bukyabi Primary School in Bukyabi Sub County, Sironko District, is recovering in hospital after being severely beaten by her teacher, leaving her with ear injuries. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and community members, who are calling for immediate action to address the growing issue of corporal punishment and teacher misconduct in schools.
The victim, Newumbe Rona, was reportedly beaten by her teacher early in the morning under unclear circumstances. According to her uncle, Masolo Periz, the young girl returned home crying and in severe pain, unable to explain what had happened. She was rushed to the hospital, where medical examinations revealed that she had sustained significant damage to her ears and required urgent treatment.
Masolo, visibly distraught, narrated how teachers at Bukyabi Primary School have taken the law into their own hands, meting out harsh punishments to pupils without justification. He claimed that such incidents have led to a decline in pupil enrollment at the school, as parents lose confidence in the institution’s ability to safeguard their children.
“This is not the first time such a thing has happened. Teachers here punish children excessively, and it’s driving parents to withdraw their children from the school,” Masolo said. He has since decided to transfer Rona to another school, citing concerns for her safety and well-being.
Masolo also pointed out that some teachers bring their personal frustrations to the classroom, taking out their anger on innocent pupils. “Teachers come to school stressed from home issues and end up mistreating the very children they are supposed to guide and nurture,” he added.
The incident has reignited a broader debate about the state of education at Bukyabi Primary School. Namisi George, a parent with children at the school, acknowledged that while some teachers may be harsh, the root causes of indiscipline among pupils cannot be ignored.
“Some parents have raised their children in a way that they don’t respect teachers. Additionally, older pupils in higher classes are using drugs, which has contributed to the rising indiscipline in schools,” Namisi explained.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by the school, including a severe shortage of teachers. With fewer than eight teachers managing the entire school, the workload is overwhelming, leading to stress and poor performance. This, he noted, has further contributed to the decline in pupil numbers.
Despite these challenges, Namisi commended the government for its efforts in improving school infrastructure but urged authorities to focus on raising the standards of teaching and addressing the welfare of teachers to better suit the current situation.
“The government has done well by building classrooms, but now we need to focus on improving the quality of education and ensuring that teachers are well-trained and supported to handle the challenges they face,” he said.
The incident has left the community demanding accountability and calling for stricter measures to protect pupils from abuse. Local leaders and education officials are yet to comment on the matter, but parents hope that this incident will serve as a wake-up call to address the systemic issues plaguing the school.
As Rona continues her recovery, her case has become a rallying cry for reform, with parents and community members urging the government and school authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all pupils.
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