A standard three pupil at Mukandamia Primary School in Laikipia County died after she was allegedly beaten by her teacher and classmates for being unable to read in class.
Joy Wangari’s classmates were allegedly ordered by the deputy head master to beat her up.
“The teacher ordered her desk mates to teach her how to read and beat her if she could not,” said Mary Wanjiku, a parent at the school, as reported by the Nation.
“He started hitting the girl on the back,” she added.
The girl developed body weakness and complained of abdominal and back pains, according to her neighbours.
“She said she was beaten by her teacher and classmates,” said Ann Wairimu, the neighbour.
Her condition is said to have worsened on Sunday.
She was taken to a health center in Naromoru town, but unfortunately died while undergoing treatment.
Wairimu said Joy was vomiting blood on their way to the hospital.
Kieni East OCPD Michael Mbaluku confirmed that an assault report was made, but noted that the child’s death was yet to be reported, according to the Nation.
He said, “We understand the child died in hospital and the doctors cannot ascertain the cause from physical examination. Once the postmortem examination is done, we’ll know the cause of death.”
Parents have since withdrawn their children from the school following the death of the 10-year-old girl on Sunday.
They claim this was not the first time a child has been beaten severely by a teacher at the school.