04.10.2021-MINISTRY OF BASIC EDUCATION MUST TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST MALE TEACHER AT SIR SERETSE KHAMA JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

  1. BONELA has learnt, with dismay, about a video that is currently circulating on social media showing a certain teacher from Sir Seretse Khama Junior Secondary School in Gaborone, administering corporal punishment on a female student in a school setting, in violation of Article 2 of the Education(Corporal Punishment) Regulations of 1968.
  2. Article 2 of the Education (Corporal Punishment) Regulations 1968 states: no male teacher may inflict corporal punishment upon any girl whom he has grounds for believing is over the age of 10 years. However, in the video, we can clearly see a violation of the above stated article. BONELA therefore calls for disciplinary action to be taken by the Ministry of Basic Education against the male teacher who was administering corporal punishment on the female student.
  3. BONELA condemns not only the teacher that was administering corporal punishment to the student but also the teachers that were heard using abusive language aimed at the student in the video.
  4. Corporal punishment is a cruel and degrading form of violence, which affects children’s mental and physical wellbeing and a profound violation of human rights. According to the 2018 Violence Against Children Survey, physical violence is the most common form of violence against children; and teachers, parents, caregivers, and adults in the community are among the leading perpetrators. BONELA is concerned and fears that corporal punishment of children will condone an environment of violence.
  5. BONELA calls on Government of Botswana to repeal and replace with prohibition, corporal punishment of children in national legislation such as the Penal Code, Education Policies or any other laws, which promote corporal punishment. Rather opting for legislation that puts in place alternative forms of disciple.

    For more information, contact BONELA on: Katlego Sechele at ksechele@bonela.org or 72282025 Cindy Kelemi at cindyk@bonela.org or 72385054