Swazi Observer

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BOARDING MASTER SEVERELY WHIPS GIRLS, 8 LASHES EACH

By MHLONISHWA HLOPHE | 2021-06-13

Girls at Siteki Nazarene High School were severely whipped, eight lashes each allegedly by the boarding master for failing to reach a 70 per cent mark in their school-work, something that has boomeranged badly on the principal, more especially because corporal punishment remains banned in Eswatini.

Boarders have come out to complain of the abuse meted on them by their boarding master, citing that he cruelly lashes them over eight strokes in the buttocks for failure to pass tests. As if that was not enough, the pupils disclosed that even if they can reach the 50 per cent pass mark, they would still be punished as the boarding master placed 70 per cent as the passing mark for all boarders.

“Our boarding master beats us so bad irrespective of the fact that our class teachers had punished us back in class for failing tests,” said one pupil, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of recieving more lashings or worse still, expulsion.

About 10 hostel dwellers have opened up to this publication on how they have been abused by their boarding master. The pupils are angry at the fact that they got double punishment from their class teachers and the boarding master alike.

The pupils revealed that their boarding master ordered them to submit their test scripts to him every month end so that he can check their performance. They said he informed them that no one should get less than 70 per cent. “Once you get less than the passing mark, which is 70per cent you are punished.

Normally we receive not less than five strokes for scoring around 50 per cent. However, those who fail to reach the 50 per cent mark are severely punished; some were given eight lashes on the buttocks and were seriously injured. The stick he uses is so big it leaves our buttocks with deep cuts that may result in lifetime scars.”

Their teachers give them a suave three strokes. They said the passing mark at the school is the normal 50 per cent, therefore they fail to fathom why the boarding master escalated the mark to 70 per cent. “We are not against corporal punishment because even our parents punish us for doing wrong. However, we fail to understand why we are beaten cruelly, especially by the boarding master, who is not responsible for our school work.

It’s unfair because day-scholars only get to be punished in class and their parents don’t beat them,” said one pupil. Investigate It was ascertained that certainly all boarders from Form One to Form Five get to be punished. The school principal, Bonginkhosi Dlamini sounded surprised when asked about the beatings. He said he was still to investigate the matter and asked to be given as at least a day to conduct his own investigations. A day later, he said he had engaged the boarding master on the matter and admitted of having punished the pupils.

“Unfortunately, some got injured in the process. As a result, some parents confronted me, demanding answers. I can state that it was not intentional. However, we have agreed that the beatings should stop.” However, the pupils said the principal should not sound surprised as he supported the boarding master in this act. They said he (principal) was very much part of the cruel act and should not pretend to be innocent. When sought for comment, an officer from the Lubombo Regional Education Offices claimed he had retired, and referred journalists to the ministry’s headquarters in Mbabane. Attempts to reach the ministry were futile until the publication went to print last night.

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