The latest guidelines from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education explicitly prohibit teachers from administering corporal punishment and encourage parents and guardians to adopt innovative and lawful methods for disciplining children.
These guidelines stress the importance of fostering a culture of self-discipline and respect among students, moving away from fear-based disciplinary methods.
The amended Section 68A of the Education Act (Chapter 25:04) mandates that all schools establish a disciplinary framework that upholds the dignity of pupils.
The Act clearly prohibits any treatment that constitutes physical or psychological torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment.
According to the Ministry’s guidelines, teachers are strictly forbidden from beating up students under any circumstances. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The regulations and disciplinary policy does not permit any treatment which (i) does not respect human dignity of a pupil or (ii) amount to physical or psychological torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
</blockquote>
The guidelines provide a clear framework for disciplining students, which includes measures such as suspension, exclusion, and expulsion.
Any decision to exclude a student must receive prior approval from the Provincial Education Director (PED) and should be accompanied by comprehensive documentation detailing the student’s misconduct.
Expulsions are reserved for serious offenses, including drug abuse, theft, fighting, or vandalism. The guidelines state:
<blockquote>
In view of the above, every school head should therefore strive to cultivate a school climate where pupils will/ can develop internal discipline which is not initiated by fear of punishment.
At the school level, leadership should strive to promote a positive ethos which promotes self-discipline among pupils supported by positive remedial disciplinary and proactive measures so that the priority focus on teaching and learning is maintained.
</blockquote>
The guidelines further stipulate that a student expelled from a school cannot be re-admitted to the education system without the approval of the Permanent Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education.
The ministry said no school should exclude a learner without the knowledge of the PED. The document states:
<blockquote>
Exclusion is the removal of a pupil from a particular school by the head for reasons in the best interests of either the pupil, parent or the school.
Comprehensive documentation of the pupil’s misdemeanour or deviant behaviour and circumstances surrounding the incidence must accompany the head’s request for exclusion.
All the administrative functions, tasks and ultimate exclusion should be done within 14 days.
</blockquote>
An excluded student can submit an online application for admission to any other registered school without needing to consult the Provincial Education Director (PED).
The document states that if communication challenges arise with any parents or guardians, the social welfare system should be engaged for support.
Expulsion may be considered based on the severity of evidence regarding a student’s involvement in serious misconduct. Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
<ul>
<li>Drug and substance abuse</li>
<li>Theft, fraud, and robbery</li>
<li>Fighting and assault</li>
<li>Use of dangerous weapons</li>
<li>Sexual misconduct</li>
<li>Continued disobedience or insubordination</li>
<li>Destruction or vandalism of property</li>
<li>Prolonged absenteeism or truancy without a valid excuse</li>
</ul>
Additional grounds for expulsion include fraudulent practices during public examinations and involvement in criminal activities.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Ministry of Education has new rules for schools. Teachers cannot hit students. They need to find new ways to discipline them. Schools must have rules that respect students' dignity. Students can be suspended or expelled for bad behavior. Serious crimes like drug abuse or fighting can lead to expulsion. Schools need permission to expel students. If a student is expelled, they need approval to join another school. Schools must engage social welfare for help with communication issues with parents. Expulsion can happen for serious misconduct, like using drugs or being violent.

New Education Guidelines Ban Corporal Punishment In Schools

In a letter yesterday,  Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial leadership summoned former Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Webster Shamu to a disciplinary hearing on a number of misconduct charges. 
The provincial leadership reiterated that Shamu is suspended from performing any official functions of the party pending the disciplinary hearing. The Chegutu East MP is scheduled to appear before the provincial disciplinary committee on Monday 18 June 2018. Shamu is accused of stashing marked ballot papers during the Chegutu East Zanu-PF primary elections among other allegations. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>The following are allegations of misconduct against you that include, but are not limited to the following; 
a) Inciting and instigating violence in Chegutu East primary elections, producing fabricated cell registers during primary elections in Chegutu East. 
b) Stashing of already voted ballot papers in your vehicle, 
c) Causing arbitrary arrest of Cde Vengai Musengi, a rivalry candidate in Chegutu East, 
d) Disloyalty, dishonest and causing serious divisions in the party and bringing the name of the party into disrepute.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/shamu-summoned-for-hearing/">Herald</a>

Webster Shamu Summoned For Disciplinary Hearing, Accused Of Rigging Zanu-PF Primary Election

In a statement, MDC-T Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications Luke Tamborinyoka revealed that the party’s national executive and the national council, the party’s supreme decision-making organ between Congresses resolved to suspend Obert Gutu pending disciplinary action.
Gutu will be replaced by deputy spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo. Said Tamborinyoka:
<blockquote>That party spokesperson Obert Gutu is suspended pending internal disciplinary processes and in the meantime deputy spokesperson Hon. Thabitha Khumalo becomes the acting party spokesperson.</blockquote>
Gutu had earlier indicated that he will not be associated with violence and thuggery following the attack on the party’s co-vice president Thokozani Khupe at the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s burial in Buhera. His announcement led many to believe that Gutu was quitting the MDC-T although he cleared the air during an interview with Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa stating that he remains a member of the party.
Gutu also took to Twitter to claim that he was unaware of the purported suspension and said that he would only comment once he was formally informed. Said Gutu,
<blockquote>I have read somewhere on social media that I have been suspended as the MDC-T National Spokesperson.I haven’t been furnished with a letter of suspension. I will comprehensively address this issue as and when I am served with the letter of suspension.</blockquote>

Update: MDC-T Suspends Spokesperson Obert Gutu Pending Disciplinary Action, Gutu Claims Ignorance

In a notice in The Herald Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa announced that they were placing Pastors Jephias and Virginia Gadzika forselling annointing oil in church which is against church belief and teaching.
The full notice reads:
<blockquote>The ZIMBABWE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD AFRICA (ZAOGA), Day To Day Advisory Board wish to inform the public that JEPHIAS and VIRGINIA GADZIKA were disciplined by the Board for SELLING Anointing Oil In The Church ZAOGA believes, teaches and accepts the use of anointing oil in light of scriptures but we do not SELL it Jesus never sold anointing oil. James 5:14. 
ZAOGA ADVISORY BOARD</blockquote>

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