The Hidden Epidemic of School Floggings in Kenya

Kenya’s long-standing issue of corporal punishment in schools has come to light once again, as BBC Africa Eye uncovers a worrying increase in severe cases of school beatings. Despite the government’s ban on corporal punishment in schools in 2001, a national household survey in 2019 revealed that over half of young adults in Kenya still believe it is necessary for teachers to use physical punishment. The report highlights the devastating consequences of these beatings, including severe physical and emotional trauma, and even death in some cases. The article sheds light on individual stories, such as Caleb Mwangi, who was beaten so severely that he was put into a coma and spent 11 days in the intensive care unit. The impact of these beatings extends beyond physical scars, as Caleb expresses feelings of rage and struggles with his mental health. The article also exposes the lack of accountability and justice for these cases, with many incidents going unreported or being suppressed. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), an organization responsible for managing the teaching profession, is accused of failing to address the issue effectively. The article calls attention to the urgent need for change and highlights organizations like Beacon Teachers Africa, which are working to protect children in schools and communities and promote alternative disciplinary methods. It concludes with Caleb and his family’s desire for justice and calls for an end to this hidden epidemic.