A father is demanding justice after his two young children were allegedly subjected to severe corporal punishment by a teacher at a basic school in the Central Region.
The incident reportedly involved two siblings aged 10 and 8 who attend Trinity Methodist Preparatory School in Egyaa in the Mfantseman Municipality. According to their father, Moses Barnabas, the children were caned by a teacher identified as Sir Ebenezer after they sat on chairs that had been arranged for a school event without permission.
Mr Barnabas said the punishment was excessive and left the children in distress. The older child, a Class Four pupil, was allegedly given 40 strokes of the cane, while the younger sibling, a Class Two pupil, received 20 lashes.
He explained that he became aware of the situation after returning home and finding the children crying uncontrollably. When he questioned them about what had happened, they reportedly told him their teacher had punished them for sitting on chairs set aside for an upcoming school activity without permission.
According to the father, the punishment left visible marks on the children’s bodies, including red stripes on their arms, backs and buttocks. Disturbed by the severity of the punishment, he immediately contacted the school’s headmaster to lodge a complaint.
However, Mr Barnabas stated that the response he received from the school authorities was not satisfactory. As a result, he decided to escalate the matter by reporting the incident to the police.
He insists that while discipline in schools is important, the level of punishment allegedly inflicted on his children goes beyond acceptable limits. He emphasized that he enrolled his children in school to receive an education and proper guidance, not to experience what he describes as abuse.
The case has now been reported to law enforcement authorities, and medical forms have reportedly been issued to allow the children to undergo examination as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the school authorities have yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations, as the matter continues to draw attention and raise concerns about discipline practices in schools.
