Teachers strip female students in search of mobile phones
Three phones were reportedly recovered from the students.
What you need to know:
- Mr Johnson Okello, a human rights activist called for the dismissal of the teachers who perpetrated the act.
- Alebtong RDC Andrew Awany has ordered for investigations into the alleged students’ abuse.
Authorities of Alebtong District local government have setup a committee to investigate an incident in which Fatima Girls Comprehensive School administration, Aloi allegedly stripped students in the school Science laboratory.
On November 1, eight teachers (two of whom were male) of the Catholic-founded government school allegedly locked all the students in the school laboratory and ordered them to strip naked before forcing each one of them to frog jump out.
This was reportedly in an attempt to recover phones allegedly smuggled into the school by the students.
Following the incident, some students who had been sent home to collect fees balances went on radio and reported the abuse.
The deputy head teacher, Sister Judith Adilo and the Director of studies only identified as Mr Ekwam admitted saying they undertook their students through the exercise because they were searching for mobile phones.
“Our operation was successful and our mission was accomplished. We subjected them through the exercise because we realized many of them possess mobile phones yet this is contrary to our rules and regulations,” Mr Ekwam said.
Although they recovered three phones and a piece of phone battery in the process, one of the students who spoke to this reporter said the teachers took pictures on their smartphones in the process.
“It was very distressing and humiliating and I now fear attending my classes since my class teacher (a male) was involved in the process,” said the senior three student.
According to the student who pleaded for anonymity, the teachers did not only take pictures of the students while naked but went on conversing over the nude pictures hours later while in the staffroom.
“After removing our clothes, each one of us was told to frog-jump out of the room. Up to now I have failed to understand why they did this to us and they took pictures in turns,” she noted.
She said their underwears and nickers were confiscated in the process.
“As long as you put on underwear that had unique flower designs and patterns or a ‘love’ drawing, it would be confiscated,” she added.
RDC orders for investigation
Alebtong RDC Andrew Awany has ordered for investigations into the alleged students’ abuse.
“We have set up a team to investigate and find out what exactly happened. We are going to act immediately after the findings of the investigation,” he said.
The District Education Officer (DEO) Mr Denis Kisa said he had summoned the school head teacher and the deputy for questioning.
“It is a serious human rights abuse to strip somebody naked and more so these girls who are still children. I have summoned them to explain why they did this,” Mr Kisa said.
Mr Johnson Okello, a human rights activist called for the dismissal of the teachers who perpetrated the act.
“Infringing on one’s privacy, worst of all children who are not even 18 years is a gross violation of that person’s rights and the DEO’s office and the Ministry of Education and Sports must act immediately and ensure that punitive measures are taken against the teachers,” Mr Okello said.
