The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Youth and Children’s Affairs, Mercy Faith Lakisa, has condemned the continued use of corporal punishment in schools following the death of a Senior Four student in Luwero District.
During a visit to Luwero Central Police Station and New Life Secondary School yesterday, Dr Lakisa followed up on investigations into the death of 17-year-old Nicholas Nakibinge, who allegedly died after being beaten by a teacher last month.
According to police, the prime suspect, Physics teacher Abraham Mukalazi, remains on the run and efforts to trace and arrest him are ongoing.
Nakibinge reportedly collapsed on June 16 after an altercation with the teacher, who allegedly accused him of failing to trim his hair in line with school rules and performing poorly in remedial tests.
He died while being rushed to Luwero Hospital.
Addressing students, Dr Lakisa said corporal punishment has no place in Uganda’s education system and urged schools to adopt lawful and child-friendly methods of discipline.
She said teachers cannot know learners’ underlying medical conditions and warned that physical punishment can lead to serious injury or death. Section 106A of the Children (Amendment) Act, 2016 prohibits corporal punishment in educational institutions and requires schools to use child-friendly disciplinary measures.
By URN
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