The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Mercy Faith Lakisa, led a team of government officials and police to Multiple Junior School in Jinja City this week to investigate systemic allegations of corporal punishment. Three teachers have been arrested and remanded to Kirinya Prison following reports that multiple learners were subjected to physical abuse for failing to meet academic targets.
Investigation And Official Response
The intervention comes after reports emerged that eight teachers had allegedly caned Primary Five pupils last month, with some students reportedly receiving more than 20 strokes each. During a media briefing, Minister Lakisa confirmed that the ministry had conducted a surprise inspection and interrogations at the campus to verify the claims.
I have been informed that last month, eight teachers caned Primary Five pupils, with each receiving more than 20 strokes, causing injuries to some learners. I have therefore directed police to arrest the teachers involved, some of whom are reportedly on the run, while others have already been remanded.
The minister emphasised that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding physical discipline in schools. She added that her office has been overwhelmed by similar reports of abuse from across the country since taking up the portfolio.
Legal Context And Broader Impact
Corporal punishment remains strictly prohibited under Section 106A of the Children (Amendment) Act, 2016, which mandates the use of positive discipline methods instead. This legal framework is supported by national oversight bodies and the Sauti 116 toll-free helpline, designed to provide a safe channel for children to report incidents of abuse.
The incident at Multiple Junior School follows a sequence of events beginning on 29 June, when an initial assault report was filed at the Jinja Central Police Station. Following a subsequent directive from the Jinja City Education Officer on 6 July, this week’s government-led inspection aims to address concerns regarding the safety of learners in private education institutions. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the school as the legal proceedings against the three remanded teachers progress through the court system.