Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been urged to carry an investigation over a case whereby three pupils were tied to a tree as punishment.
In a Citizen TV report on Thursday the 2nd of September, a multiagency task force implored the DCI to investigate the case involving two teachers from Thiru Primary school. The school is located in Nyahururu. The teachers under probe are the headteacher and his deputy.
A photo of three pupils tied to a tree circulated online, leading to many a netizen to vent their anger at the method of instilling discipline to the young learners. Many Kenyans argued that the method is wrong and does not necessarily instil discipline but rather a feeling of anger on pupils towards teachers.
“Teachers should use the accepted ways of instilling discipline and even involve parents if they need help,” said one Kenyan.
There are better ways of correcting bad behaviour among pupils. I believe teachers do get trained on how to handle learners. Don’t they?” wondered Ann (not her real name).
Moses Muroki, the Nyahururu Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner, instructed the Laikipia West DCI office to investigate and find out the facts about the incident.
The teachers who are being investigated is the school headteacher Shelmith Thimba and her deputy David Maina.
It has been reported that Mr Maina had tied the three learners to a tree before taking a picture of the three and then sharing the picture on the school’s WhatsApp Group.
It is believed that one of the group members shared the picture online leading to them going viral.
The Deputy County Commissioner and his entourage carried out their investigations on the incident at the school on Wednesday.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) views the incident as inhuman, saying that the punishment lowers the self-esteem of the learners and demotivates them.