16-year-old Migori student in surgery after 'caning'

A Form Three student from Sagero Mixed Secondary School is admitted in hospital. Teachers beat him and he went home in pain. His family rushed him to hospital. GRAPHIC | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • The boy was beaten because he had not shaved.
  • The principal said the school does not allow corporal punishment and the teachers would be punished.
  • The boy's aunt claimed that after the beating, the student was not allowed to seek treatment even though he was in pain.
  • He then sneaked out of school and went home; and his family rushed him to hospital.

A Form Three student from Sagero Mixed Secondary School is admitted in hospital after teachers beat him for not shaving.

His aunt said the student sneaked out of the day school before classes were concluded and went home as he was in pain.

INJURED

She claimed that the teachers barred the 16-year-old boy from going to the school clinic or seeking treatment.

The aunt said the student arrived home last Wednesday and complained of pain in his lower abdomen.

He was taken to Ojele Memorial Hospital and a scan found that he had a raptured spleen and he needed urgent surgery.

“[He] told us that he had been beaten by two teachers for not shaving his head and was feeling pain in the lower abdomen that is when we rushed him for treatment,” she said.

The boy is an orphan and lives with his aunt.

TREATMENT

The aunt added that the Principal Zachary Ogolla Aludo paid Sh30,000 for the boy’s treatment.

She said the operation and treatment cost approximately Sh66,000 but could increase.

Doctors said the boy was in stable condition after the surgery. They said the beating could have caused the injury, but they were did not confirm whether it was the cause.

Mr Aludo admitted to journalists that teachers beat the boy.

“The student was actually assaulted by the two teachers for not shaving his hair but the school has already taken action and the two teachers have been arrested and are being held at Migori Police Station waiting to be arraigned in court,” he said.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

He termed the incident unfortunate and said the school does not allow corporal punishment.

"The teachers who did it have since been sacked as they were employed by the Board of Management. We stand with the boy and wish him quick recovery," added Mr Aludo.

He dismissed rumours on social media that the teenager died.

Migori OCPD Gladys Rutere condemned the incident and promised justice for the boy.

"Teachers should respect the law and stop corporal punishment. Police will investigate the incident further and arraign the culprits in court for assault," she said.