Janet Aweko, a parent at Ayago Primary School in Lira city is accusing the school guard, teacher, and cook of assault. Aweko, who has four children at the school, says that the trio ganged up against her on Monday when she went to report the school guard Samuel Omara for beating her P5 daughter, Brenda Aber.
According to Aweko, it all started when her daughter ran back home telling her that Omara had slapped her and she decided to approach the school administration. She, however, says that she had to force her way into the school after fighting off Omara who had blocked her from entering the gate.
She says one of the teachers only identified as Monica, and a school cook whose identity could not be established later dragged her to the staffroom from where they beat her until she became unconscious. She woke up hours later only to find herself surrounded by pupils and concerned parents neighboring the school.
Speaking from Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) where she was scheduled to undergo a chest x-ray and an abdominal scan on Wednesday, Aweko wondered why she was manhandled by the employees of the school despite being a parent who supports the school. She has since filed a case of assault at Ayago Police Outpost.
Patricio Ocak, the school head teacher has since denied the allegation of assault, saying that by the time Aweko reached the school, she was so violent and behaved as though she was possessed by evil spirits, a reason they summoned the area LCI chairperson and police to bear witness to the situation.
He says the woman beat up the watchman so badly that he sustained injuries including a dislocated shoulder, which led to his admission at Ayago HCIII.
According to Ocak, the school has also reported a case of criminal trespass against the parent to the police.
Jasper Abura, the Principal Education Officer, says his office is going to investigate the matter although it is the role of the head teacher to streamline the responsibilities of support staff employed by the school. He condemned the parent for taking matters into her own hands, saying her actions were tantamount to criminal trespass.
Abura advised teachers and other school employees to embrace alternative forms of disciplining children instead of corporal punishment.
Patrick Etii, another parent of the school, says that on many occasions children have been reporting incidences of mistreatment by the same watchman and he believes that such incidences will cost the school if not handled well.
The bell at the school is sounded for pupils to return to class after every break and those who take their time are normally locked out for being late and are punished by the teachers. On Monday, the watchman chanced on Aber who was closing the door and slapped her several times forcing her to run back home.
Aber told Uganda Radio Network that she was instructed by the teacher on duty to close her colleagues outside the classroom when the watchman landed a heavy slap.
Some of her classmates corroborated her story, saying the watchman is too arrogant towards learners.URN