Six NGOs call for end to corporal punishment in schools

Dar es Salaam. Following the tragic death of Form Two student Mhoja Maduhu, allegedly beaten and trampled by his teacher, several organisations opposing child abuse and corporal punishment in schools have urged the government to abolish the 2002 education guidelines that permit corporal punishment.

The NGOs also called for the development of alternative disciplinary guidelines aimed at promoting positive student behaviour.

The involved organisations include Hakielimu, Msichana Initiative, Save the Children, Children Dignity Forum, Shule Direct, Children in Crossfire, and the Tanzania Child Rights Forum (TCRF).

In response, Education Commissioner Dr Lyabwene Mutahabwa told The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, that while corporal punishment cannot be entirely abolished, the monitoring system has been strengthened to ensure it is applied in line with existing guidelines.

The incident leading to Maduhu’s death occurred on February 26, 2025, at Mwasamba Secondary School in Busega district, Simiyu region.

It is alleged that the student died after receiving 10 whips and being trampled on the head by his teacher, Salim Chogogwe, for failing to complete group work.

A student who witnessed the incident claimed that Maduhu was beaten on the head and back with sticks before being trampled on.

This is not the first such incident.

In 2018, Sperius Eradius, a student from Kibeta Primary School in Bukoba Municipality, Kagera region, died after corporal punishment was administered by his teacher.

On March 6, 2025, Hakielimu director Dr John Kalage expressed concern about the increasing number of such incidents and urged the government to take action to end corporal punishment in schools.

He called for the establishment of guidelines for alternative disciplinary methods that do not involve abuse.

Dr Kalage further stressed the need to include provisions in the ongoing review of the Education Act of 1978 to prohibit corporal punishment and other forms of abuse by teachers.

He referred to research conducted by Hakielimu, which shows that 98 percent of students in eight schools feel safe because their teachers do not use corporal punishment.

“The government can use this evidence to demonstrate that positive forms of discipline are possible and encourage good behaviour among students without subjecting them to abuse,” he said.

“Establishing a law to ban corporal punishment will help prevent teachers from using this form of punishment, ultimately reducing and eliminating abuse in schools,” Dr Kalage added.

He also called on the government to honour its commitment made at the first World Ministerial Meeting on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia in November 2024.

This commitment includes establishing child protection desks in all schools by 2029.

These desks would serve as a formal system for receiving and addressing complaints from children who experience various forms of abuse, including corporal punishment, as well as sexual and psychological abuse.

Children in Crossfire programme manager, Ms Saraphina Lelo, emphasised that while abuse primarily occurs in schools, its impact extends throughout society.

“It may happen in schools, but the child carries that trauma, and it becomes their way of life. This child will grow up to be a parent, and they might continue this kind of punishment with their children. Society will continue thinking that corporal punishment is the right way to discipline a child, while the reality is they are hurt,” she said.

Reflecting on the issue, Dr Mutahabwa reiterated that the government’s approach is to closely monitor the implementation of the guidelines, asserting that corporal punishment should only be administered by the headteacher or principal and should not exceed three strokes.

“Claiming that corporal punishment will be completely abolished is not true; this may happen in the future, but what we are doing now is strengthening monitoring to ensure that this punishment is applied according to the guidelines,” said Dr Mutahabwa.

He explained that monitoring efforts would be intensified, and those who violate the guidelines would face consequences.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the child. As a community, we must work together to report any abuse so that actions can be taken,” he said.

Dr Mutahabwa added that the government will intensify monitoring through education quality controllers, who will be the first to be questioned when incidents of student abuse occur in schools.

“If you are a quality controller and your school has a habit of applying harsh punishment, then you are not fit for the job. There must be close monitoring to know what is happening in schools,” he said.