 |
| 15 year old Rufunsa girl allegedly defiled by her teacher. |
NOT Long ago, each time parents sent their children to school, they entrusted the teachers with the responsibility of looking after the pupils.
But that is no longer the case.
It is not an overstatement to say that some male teachers have become a danger to female pupils.
Cases of male teachers defiling schoolgirls have become common in schools both in rural and urban areas.
Two weeks ago, it was reported that a 15-year-old girl of Rufunsa district who is now six months pregnant was continuously defiled allegedly by her teacher who promised to help her to dubiously pass grade nine examinations.
The girl has alleged that Ibram Munyumbwe, 27, of Chibengelele Primary School lured her into a sexual relationship in August 2017.
Mr Munyumbwe has since been transferred to Munyeta Primary School in Rufunsa District.
Such cases are not new and parents now feel insecure to entrust their children into the hands of teachers.
“Whenever I take my daughter to school, I feel like I can sit there and wait for her until she knocks off. This is so because some male teachers are such a danger,” Charity Kafwabula of Lusaka’s Makeni area says.
Mrs Kafwabula says the issue of teachers defiling girls has gone out of hand.
Teachers, whether in government or private schools, hold a special position of trust and must be accountable for their actions towards children all times.
Furthermore, teachers are guardians and role models for the children entrusted in their care.
Conversely, children look up to the teachers, who spend more time with them, compared to the time they spend with their parents.
That is why one cannot dispute the fact that teachers play an important role in moulding the children.
“Defilement puts girls at risk of dropping out of school, being married off, contracting various diseases like sexually transmitted diseases and fistula,” Joseph Silwamba of Nswana village in Rufunsa says.
Mr Silwamba says teachers at the centre of sexual exploitation scandals in schools should be dismissed for misconduct.
Mr Silwamba suggested that head teachers who conceal information on defilement cases should resign.
“One thing we forget here is that headteachers get to know of any defilement cases first. And after engaging in discussions, sometimes headteachers advise parents to settle it outside the school authority with the victim’s parents,” Mr Silwamba says.
Mr Silwamba cited the Rufunsa case as one where the perpetrator is alleged to be a perpetual offender who has gone unpunished.
“I cannot believe he was still active in the teaching world, especially after this case. He was even transferred to another school. It must be habitual for this teacher and he is being defended by the school authority,” Mr Silwamba told the author.
On two previous occasions, the defiled girl thought she had done enough to stop his predatory behaviour.
But the teacher continued to ask her to go to his house to clean up and he would and sleep with her. She was allegedly defiled five times.
“He used to teach us Mathematics, Agriculture Science, Business Studies and Social Studies. In the first week of August, shortly before schools closed, Mr Munyumbwe asked me to go to his house with my cousin to clean up and we obliged, a few minutes later, he followed us. When he came, he called me to his bedroom and my cousin remained in his living room,” the girl said.
The girl said after being defiled, Mr Munyumbwe gave her a K25.
Various organisations that regulate the teaching profession face serious challenges in tackling sexual exploitation and abuse of the children.
This is so because there has been a legal gap in addressing such cases. Now a Code of Ethics for the teaching profession has been put in place to ensure that perpetrators face the wrath of the law.
The Code of Ethics which was gazetted on January 12, 2018 and launched on February 13, 2018 has safeguarding procedures and specifies punishment for a perpetrator.
Dennis Wanchinga, who was then Minister of General Education, says the code of ethics for the teaching profession is an effort to curb teacher misconduct such as defilement.
“The code of ethics for the teaching profession will ensure that a teacher upholds and fosters the integrity and dignity of the profession,” Dr Wanchinga says.
And Teaching Service Commission (TSC) chairperson Stanley Mhango says reports of defilement in Zambia are regrettable.
“As TSC we have given instructions that whoever sits on an issue of sexual misconduct of teachers, be it the teacher, the head or the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) shall be disciplined in accordance with the rules and regulations for failure to report a case to the relevant authorities,’ Mr Mhango says.
Mr Mhango says a solution to this trend should involve everyone in order to win the fight.
Mr Mhango says learners should not be assigned chores at teachers’ houses because it is illegal and it is an offence punishable by law.
And Teaching Council of Zambia registrar Eddy Mubanga says by putting in place a Code of Ethics, professionalism in the teaching profession will be promoted.
Looking back, cases of defilement have been on the rise in Zambia.
According to the Zambia Police Service, in 2016, Zambia recorded 2,363 defilement cases which were reported countrywide. The figures translate to 12.8 percent of the reported cases. Out of the total number, 2,344 were girl victims and 19 were boys.
It is against this background that society eagerly awaits an end to such vices.ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON FEBRUARY 18, 2018. LINK: https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/will-code-of-ethics-enhance-teachers-professionalism/
No comments:
Post a Comment