This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7888158.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Shock as Tanzania teachers caned Shock as Tanzania teachers caned
(about 4 hours later)
The teachers union in Tanzania is considering legal action after 19 school teachers were given the cane. The Tanzania Teachers' Union is taking legal action after 19 primary school teachers were given the cane.
The primary teachers were caned by a police officer after an inquiry into poor exam results at three schools. The teachers were caned by a police officer in front of their pupils after an investigation into poor exam results at three schools.
The report blamed teachers for being late or not showing up for work and not teaching the official syllabus.The report blamed teachers for being late or not showing up for work and not teaching the official syllabus.
The deputy education minister has condemned the caning but asked the teachers not to take action until the case has been investigated. The deputy education minister has said those responsible for the caning "should have their heads examined".
The union is thinking of taking action against District Commissioner (DC) Albert Mnali, who ordered the caning in the northern region of Bukoba. The union is planning a large demonstration next week in protest at the incident.
The BBC's Vicky Ntetema in Dar es Salaam says the case comes at a time when parents and human rights groups in Tanzania have been calling for a ban on flogging of schoolchildren throughout the country. We want the DC to leave, he is not fit for his job Dauda Bilikesi, Kagera Teachers' Union
The case comes at a time when parents and human rights groups in Tanzania have been calling for a ban on flogging of schoolchildren throughout the country.
The union says it will sue District Commissioner (DC) Albert Mnali, who ordered the caning in the northern region of Kagera.
"The caning of our teachers is shameful. It's intolerable and it's time the teachers take action against Mr Mnali through the judiciary," Kagera teachers' union chairman Dauda Bilikesi told the BBC.
"We have informed the police in Bukoba [capital of Kagera region] that we will be marching through the town to demand the government takes disciplinary measures against Mr Mnali. We want him to leave, he is not fit for his job", he said.
'Abnormal'
Union officials have told the BBC that the caning happened in the wake of an ongoing row between the union and the government.
The teachers had complained that their salaries are often delayed and that they are a denied transfer allowance when they move to a new school.
The BBC's John Ngahyoma says the Kagera teachers were told by the DC that they were disturbing the government with their demands and that they were not performing well.
Deputy Education Minister Mwantumu Bakari Mahiza told the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation that the DC's action was "abnormal".Deputy Education Minister Mwantumu Bakari Mahiza told the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation that the DC's action was "abnormal".
She said the DC and the police commissioner should "have their heads examined" and called for a commission to investigate the case.She said the DC and the police commissioner should "have their heads examined" and called for a commission to investigate the case.