A primary school teacher in Fatuberliu, Manufahi district, has assaulted 10 students, two of whom are in a serious condition. 
Member of Parliament (MP) Leonel Marcal said the two students in a serious condition were unable to attend school for a week as they could not walk after the attack.
“Two of them are in serious condition; their legs are swollen due to being hit with the (short) plank,” MP Marcal said in the National Parliament plenary.
The MP from Commission F (education, health, culture, veterans and gender equality) said the students’ parents brought them to the Same hospital immediately after the attack.
He said the doctor told the victims to raise the issue with the police so they could investigate, as the wounds were serious and bled heavily.
“Isawthe two students with my own eyes.If they don’t receive proper treatment, they may be crippled,” MP Marcal said.
MP Marcal said the teacher’s behavior left some students too afraid to attend school.
“The teachers have threatened the students that they will close the school and abandon the students,” he said.
The Fretilin MP called on the Ministry of Education to investigate the teacher.
The same concern was raised by MP Antonio Serpawho said the teacher not only assaulted the students but also collected money illegally.
“At the basic education school Central Laleia of Manatuto, the parents tell me that they collect 10 cents for every student,” MP Serpa said.
Education network Timor-Leste Coalition for Education (TLCE) program coordinator Matisa dos Santos said the teacher who assaulted the students should be prosecuted.
“We at the education network TLCE are very disappointed with the attitude of the teacher who taught the students with violence,” he said.
He said education regulations forbade the use of violence by teachers against their students.
“Teachers’ duty is to educate their students to be a person but they must not use violence to educate,” he said.
Minister of Education BenditoFreitas was unavailable for comment.
