Mum claims teacher assaults son

 By ADAM MERA

A MOTHER has alleged that her son, a student at Tega Primary School in Kagamuga, Mt Hagen, was assaulted by his teacher on Wednesday.

Dr Petronia Kaima, of Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital, said her 13-year-old son Kepa was assaulted by the teacher about an incident he had earlier with the school’s headmaster.

The school headmaster could not comment on the matter, saying it was sensitive and should be handled by the proper authorities.

Dr Kaima has reported the matter to the police and the education authorities in Mt Hagen. 

She said the education authorities had set an appointment with her today to discuss the incident.

“I will not stand for such brutality and physical assault on my son, who is a child and unable to defend himself,” she said. 

“He was totally innocent and had not committed any serious offence to be treated like this by a teacher who is entrusted not only to provide quality education but to offer the best possible discipline and protection for my child while under his care.”

She said Kepa was initially disciplined by the headmaster on Monday for drumming on the desk with his fingers.

She said she was on the same day summoned to the school to discuss the matter but was busy at work and sent her cousin on Tuesday.

But on Wednesday at around 1pm, she said Kepa and two other students were entering their classroom when the teacher hit them with a stick. 

She said Kepa received cuts to the right side of his face, nose and lip.