LHRC and TenMet demand ban on corporal punishment amid rising student abuse cases

On March 11, 2025, Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) and Tanzania Education Network (TenMet) jointly held a press conference to address the alarming rise in student injuries and deaths due to corporal punishment in schools. On February 26, 2025, media reports revealed the tragic death of Mhoja Maduhu, a Form Two student at Mwasamba Secondary School in Busega District, Simiyu Region. Mhoja allegedly died after being severely caned by his teacher, Salim Chogogwe, for failing to complete a class group assignment.

Similarly, on March 4, 2025, a second-grade student, Khudhaifa Salim Hamisi, from Msufini Primary School in Dar es Salaam, suffered a broken arm after being brutally beaten by a teacher. Despite reports to the Mbande Police Station, no action has been taken. Between January and February 2025, the national child helpline (116), managed by C-SEMA, recorded 169 cases of child abuse, including 52 incidents of severe physical punishment.

LHRC and TenMet urge the Ministry of Education to amend the 1978 Education Act to explicitly ban corporal punishment and promote alternative disciplinary measures that respect children's rights and welfare. The Ministry should also issue an immediate circular prohibiting excessive punishment in schools. Both parties call for strict legal action against perpetrators and justice for victims to reinforce that violence against students is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.