Tanzania Needs a Zero Tolerance Approach to Corporal Punishment

A few days ago, a video widely shared online showed a regional commander in southern Tanzania caning boys who were lying on the ground as punishment for burning down their dormitories after their mobile phones were confiscated. Let’s be clear. Corporal punishment is child abuse. It is brutal, widespread, and state-sanctioned in Tanzania, but the government gives mixed signals about tackling the problem. In August, Tanzania banned teachers of lower grades from entering classrooms with canes. In recent years, Human Rights Watch has spoken to many children who are caned, punched, or slapped by teachers.…

© Human Rights Watch - vendredi 11 octobre 2019