This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
Tanzanian President Praises Official for Caning Students ¶
Published on October 5, 2019
Tanzanian President John Magufuli has praised a government official for caning students who had destroyed their school property.
According to reports, the official, Albert Chalamila, was seen in a viral video caning the students as punishment for their actions.
However, Magufuli has defended Chalamila's actions, stating that the students' rights were not being violated.
"I have spoken to the Mbeya Regional Commissioner and told him: 'You did a good job by caning those students," Magufuli said.
Magufuli also suggested that the students' rights were not being violated, saying that the students' property was destroyed using money from their parents.
"Hata angewapiga zaidi. Hao wanaotetea haki za binadamu si wajenge mabweni yaliyoteketezwa - majengo haya yalijengwa kwa kutumia pesa za wazazi maskini," he added.
Magufuli also suggested that the Tanzanian constitution needs to be amended to allow for corporal punishment in schools.
Under current law, corporal punishment is not allowed in Tanzanian schools, except in cases where a student's rights are being violated.
