The Ministry of Education has now launched a probe into an incident where a Standard 8 pupil at Nyamninia Primary School in Yala, Siaya County, was reportedly severely punished by two teachers for failing to attain 400 marks.
Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, July 22, Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Jwan said the ministry officials have visited the school to inquire about what transpired.
“A video has been going around of a learner being punished by teachers for not attaining 400 marks. It's so bad. We have narrowed down, identified the school and investigations are ongoing,” Dr, Jwan said.
Social media users and distraught parents have called for the arrest of two teachers accused of assaulting the boy.
The pupil suffered injuries as a result of the punishment gone wrong. He escaped the school leaving behind his shoes.
In a video seen by K24 Digital, the Class 8 pupil was lamenting how two teachers beat him up for not attaining 400 marks.
"I am tired, I'd rather stay at home, I have been patient enough. At least I have been able to achieve the marks that I have, but now if they want to force me to attain 400 marks, what will I do," the boy says in the video.
He claimed he has been at the institution for 11 years but has been subjected to intense punishment including being denied food.
Boy flees school
But it is the latest incident that he claimed compelled him to flee the school.
"I ran and left my shoes when they were running after me. I have even thought of killing myself instead of thinking about alot of things," he said.
A video clip of the boy explaining the incident has gone viral on social media.
According to one Beryl Obadha, she said the ordeal the minor went through was bad and uncalled for.
"This is bad, as a parent I am hurting, she said.
On his side, Gigi Kiama said he could hold his emotions after watching the video.
"This literally had me crying. So sad for a brilliant boy. No child should think it's better to die than be in school," he said.
