A shocking video of teachers assaulting a student on a school bus has ignited national fury, prompting the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to launch a swift probe into a Harare private school.
In a strongly worded statement, Director of Communications and Advocacy Taungana Ndoro labeled the alleged abuse a "gross violation" of the Education Act, warning of criminal charges if proven.
A team of investigators has been dispatched to verify the footage, identify those involved—including named teacher Manyehwe—and scrutinize the school's trip authorization and discipline practices.
The video, now viral, captures chaos on a bus returning from a school outing. What started as a verbal spat between two pupils escalated when three teachers from First Choice Group of Schools intervened—allegedly with fists instead of restraint.
They repeatedly slapped the victim for uttering a profanity, as horrified and cheering classmates watched. Unconfirmed reports claim the teachers were intoxicated, amplifying concerns over student safety.
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Ndoro urged parents and witnesses to contact police, stressing that such actions could be criminal offenses beyond education policy breaches.
Zimbabwe's rules allow corporal punishment only by the school head or designee, using a cane as a last resort—never excessive, public, or group-inflicted. The bus beating flouts these limits entirely.
Social media buzzes with parent complaints of a harsh discipline culture at First Choice campuses, though unverified. The group's premium fees—US$400–US$800 per term for day students, up to US$2,250 for boarding—fuel questions: Does high cost guarantee high care?
The ministry vows decisive action against violators, public or private. "We protect learners first," Ndoro affirmed.
This scandal not only dents First Choice's reputation—spanning ZIMSEC and Cambridge programs across Harare sites like Highfield, Waterfalls, and Prospect—but reignites Zimbabwe's debate on balancing discipline with dignity in schools.
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