Drunk teacher caned
Aug 04, 2009
A primary school teacher in Soroti district was on Monday caned by angry parents who grabbed him drinking enguli (potent gin) during working hours.
By Simon Naulele
A primary school teacher in Soroti district was on Monday caned by angry parents who grabbed him drinking enguli (potent gin) during working hours.
Sam Odongo, a 39-year-old social studies teacher at Owalei Primary School, was beaten up and later dragged to Opuyo Police post to record a statement. The 8:30am incident happened at Ajokar trading centre, commonly known as ‘Otelebision’, in Owalei village.
“He must have received up to 70 strokes but he never cried. The man is very strong,†said a parent who participated in ‘disciplining’ the teacher.
Wilson Odiedo, the LC1 chairperson of Owalei, who is also the chairperson of the school’s management committee, said he learnt of the incident from a pupil.
“We were discussing with the head teacher the mock exams when a pupil came running, telling us some parents were about to kill a teacher whom they found drinking,†said Odiedo.
Odongo provoked the parents’ wrath when he attempted to beat a parent who asked him why he was drinking in the morning when he was supposed to be in class.
A female Police officer in Opuyo, Proscovia Aboo, said Odongo would be charged with being idle and disorderly.
“I have forgiven those who caned me,†said Odongo, who was employed at the school only six months ago.
“You should know that when a person is drunk he is able to release all his knowledge and wisdom and teach better. When I take something (drink alcohol), SST is just a walk-over. When a school loses a drunk teacher, that school is bound to collapse.â€
He added that he had been teaching for 10 years with experience in three schools.
“We want the district education officer to come for his teacher. We don’t want to see him again stepping in our school compound,†said Odiedo, adding that Odongo’s actions would make children become indisciplined.
The LC2 chairperson for Opuyo, Joseph Ejelu, said they had mounted an operation code-named ‘Restore the Future of Children’, aimed at disciplining teachers who do not perform.
“Any teacher we find drinking before 5:00pm will be caned and shown the exit because they are destroying the future of our children,†he said.
The Soroti district education officer, Michael Etoyu, said although he did not condone beating, he was happy with the parents’ action. “I will leave the Police to handle the matter to its final conclusion. He must be taken to court and charged.â€
Odongo is married with four children. His family lives in Obuketo, Bugodo sub-county.
He says he earns sh197,000 and spends sh3,500 each day – or more than half of his salary – on alcohol.
A primary school teacher in Soroti district was on Monday caned by angry parents who grabbed him drinking enguli (potent gin) during working hours.
Sam Odongo, a 39-year-old social studies teacher at Owalei Primary School, was beaten up and later dragged to Opuyo Police post to record a statement. The 8:30am incident happened at Ajokar trading centre, commonly known as ‘Otelebision’, in Owalei village.
“He must have received up to 70 strokes but he never cried. The man is very strong,†said a parent who participated in ‘disciplining’ the teacher.
Wilson Odiedo, the LC1 chairperson of Owalei, who is also the chairperson of the school’s management committee, said he learnt of the incident from a pupil.
“We were discussing with the head teacher the mock exams when a pupil came running, telling us some parents were about to kill a teacher whom they found drinking,†said Odiedo.
Odongo provoked the parents’ wrath when he attempted to beat a parent who asked him why he was drinking in the morning when he was supposed to be in class.
A female Police officer in Opuyo, Proscovia Aboo, said Odongo would be charged with being idle and disorderly.
“I have forgiven those who caned me,†said Odongo, who was employed at the school only six months ago.
“You should know that when a person is drunk he is able to release all his knowledge and wisdom and teach better. When I take something (drink alcohol), SST is just a walk-over. When a school loses a drunk teacher, that school is bound to collapse.â€
He added that he had been teaching for 10 years with experience in three schools.
“We want the district education officer to come for his teacher. We don’t want to see him again stepping in our school compound,†said Odiedo, adding that Odongo’s actions would make children become indisciplined.
The LC2 chairperson for Opuyo, Joseph Ejelu, said they had mounted an operation code-named ‘Restore the Future of Children’, aimed at disciplining teachers who do not perform.
“Any teacher we find drinking before 5:00pm will be caned and shown the exit because they are destroying the future of our children,†he said.
The Soroti district education officer, Michael Etoyu, said although he did not condone beating, he was happy with the parents’ action. “I will leave the Police to handle the matter to its final conclusion. He must be taken to court and charged.â€
Odongo is married with four children. His family lives in Obuketo, Bugodo sub-county.
He says he earns sh197,000 and spends sh3,500 each day – or more than half of his salary – on alcohol.