Pupil dies after caning in school
Parents throng Roka Preparatory School in Mwea, Kirinyaga County to seek audience with the school's administration after a class seven pupil died after he was allegedly hit by the school's proprietor on April 2, 2014. They vowed to transfer their children to other schools if stern action is not taken. PHOTO/FRANCIS NJENGA.
What you need to know:
- According to police, the boy was hit at the back of the head upon which he collapsed.
- He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
- Parents staged a peaceful demonstration on the Nairobi-Embu highway demanding action to be taken against the proprietor.
- The school which was supposed to go for Easter holiday on Friday was closed indefinitely.
A class seven boy at Roka Preparatory School in Mwea, Kirinyaga County died Wednesday after he was allegedly caned by the school proprietor.
According to police, the boy was hit at the back of the head upon which he collapsed and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr James Kariuki Kung'u, the school’s proprietor, also doubles up as the Christian Religious Education teacher.
Parents staged a peaceful demonstration on the Nairobi-Embu highway demanding that stern action to be taken against the proprietor who they accused of using corporal punishment and intimidation as a form of disciplining their children.
BARRICADED HIGHWAY
They barricaded the busy highway promoting police to disperse them.
Shocked parents overran a security barrier erected by police and thronged into the school hoping to find their children safe.
Some parents shed tears as they united with their little ones while others complained of the slow flow of information from the school administration regarding what had caused the death.
"We have been here for more than three hours and the school administration is not giving us any information. We are not even sure who died," said Faith Muthoni, a parent of a class two pupil.
HIGH HANDEDNESS
They accused the school’s administration of using high handedness in addressing their grievances and accused the school proprietor of venting his anger on the pupils.
“My class three daughter was last week beaten until all her body was swollen. I was waiting for the end of the term so that I can transfer her to another school," said James Muthii, another parent.
CONFIRMED INCIDENT
Confirming the incident, Mwea East deputy OCPD Mohammed Huka said that Mr Kung'u had been arrested and taken to Wang'uru Police Station pending investigations.
“I want to assure all the parents that after the investigations appropriate action will be taken," said Mr Huka.
But parents who spoke to Nation.co.ke said that they had complained several times of the harsh treatment on their children but no action had been taken.
The school which was supposed to go for Easter holiday on Friday was closed indefinitely with many parents vowing to transfer their pupils to other schools.
