DEAF SCHOOL SCANDAL Deaf student assaulted by drunk school employee
The matter is still under investigation - Ministry of Education Worried parent can’t get permit to travel from Palapye
A16-year-old Ramotswa Junior Secondary School student was recently assaulted by one of the workers at the school, who allegedly threw fists at him, kicking and dragging him while other students watched and shouted for him to stop.
The disturbing incident, which was witnessed by some students and teachers, has left the school in shock. Witnesses say that the worker at the school kitchen was drunk.
“Other teachers who were working with some students in the Home Economics lab shouted and even cried but the worker could not control his temper,” the shaken witness said, adding that the student was neither taken to Hospital nor Police. Witnesses also say it seemed that the student, who apparently is deaf with other multiple disabilities, saw the worker coming in through the back of the garden having sneaked to the village to drink beer and remarked that he was drunk.
This possibly triggered the violent rage from the worker who without warning landed fists on the student.
Realising that he could not defend himself, the student is said to have run into the computer lab, where there were teachers and students.
The student’s mother, whose identity has been concealed to hide the identity of the child, told The Midweek Sun in an interview that she was in turn told that her child was assaulted because he was playing with and destroying the school fence.
“We do not really know what transpired and I have been worried sick about my child. Right now I have no way of knowing the truth,” she said.The mother and the rest of the family stay in Palapye and only sent the child to Ramotswa JSS for boarding.
The assaulted child is the second of her three children, and the 47-year-old mother describes her child as playful, but harmless. Although he is 16, his behaviour is that of a nine or 10-yearold. What worries her is that the school seems reluctant to provide information as to what really transpired and whether the child is okay.
“After we received the initial report, the school kept quiet though they had said that they would get back to us regarding the matter, and cause of action against their worker. But we had to make a follow up call,” the worried mother said.
The mother who is an Ipelegeng worker in Palapye also worries that she is far in another Covid-19 zone, and already feels the stress of looking for zonal movement permit and money to travel to Ramotswa to see for herself that her child is well.
Botswana Association of the Deaf (BOAD) Executive Director, Shirley Keoagile who is aware of the case is worried that this is a clear case of inclusion and the need to educate deaf children on their rights, as well as educate stakeholders that even children with disabilities have rights just as well as all children and deserve protection as humans.
“We cannot afford to continue blaming each other where we fail children with disabilities. This case shows us that there is more to this issue than meets the eye,” Keoagile said.
She said there is need to close all loopholes and that emerging cases of abuse must be reported and documented right away.
“We are more concerned about the lack of protection and this therefore calls for disability laws to be formulated and enforced as soon as possible.”
The Ministry of Basic Education is also aware of the assault allegations of a learner by an employee at Ramotswa JSS.
“An enquiry into the matter has been instituted by the school and a preliminary report prepared,” Ministry spokesperson, Oarabile Phefo said.
Phefo added however, that it will be premature to comment on the matter as at this stage investigations and administrative processes are underway. Phefo added that the school and the Regional Education Office have been urged to complete the investigations promptly and submit the final report to the Ministry for consideration.