Public shaming in schools: Beatrice Wanjiku shares her painful childhood story

Beatrice Wanjiku shares her story on how she was publicly shamed by a teacher when she was in primary school.
Beatrice Wanjiku still carries the scars of an ordeal she faced in primary school in the late 90s,an experience that changed her life forever.
“I was in Class seven when my teacher called me out in front of the entire assembly because I had not cleared my school fees,” she recalls. “While there, he shamed me for wearing a torn dress.”
What stung most was that the teacher also mocked her for selling oranges at the market to raise money for school fees, something she thought was a sign of determination.
“Badala ya kusoma, unauza machungwa town na unakuja na manguo zimeraruka shule,” she remembers him saying.
The humiliation earned her a cruel nickname “Machungwa.” Laughter from fellow pupils, especially the boys, deepened her shame.
“I grew distant from everyone and began to hate school. Eventually, I ran away and dropped out,” she says. She later worked as a house help, but her employer encouraged her to return to school, this time at a different institution.
Beatrice admits she has never fully healed. “That incident scarred me for life,” she says through tears. “When I heard of the Njoro incident, it triggered something inside me I cannot explain. That child will never forget what she went through in the hands of those cruel teachers.”
An article published by Mtaa Wangu about two sisters who underwent emotional torment in the hands of those who are supposed to be their parents away from home, their teachers.
The article sparked public outrage and the ministry of education had to stepped in and launched an investigation into the matter.
After this ordeal Beatrice decided to donate underwear and other items to the two girls. This was caught on video drawing reactions from many who had endured similar humiliations.
“We also had a teacher back in my primary school who had these tendencies. Shame on her,” wrote Kael, a WhatsApp user.
“A teacher should know better than this. She has forever traumatized these girls, for what gain?” asked Mumbi wa Karugi on Facebook.
Clinical Psychologist Vivian Okello explains that the pupils at Kenana are likely to suffer low self-esteem, difficulties in self-expression, and a deep mistrust of authority figures.
“They may develop a victim mentality and a negative attitude towards the teaching profession,” she says.
Ms Okello added that the teachers’ conduct may point to deeper issues.
“Some could be struggling with mental health challenges or personality disorders. In a narcissistic way, humiliating children might even give them satisfaction. Teachers must be sensitized on boundaries in how they engage with learners," she says.
She further noted the socio-economic dimension, where pupils from poor backgrounds are often singled out. “Every mistake is tied to their poverty and used to shame them.”
But she insists hope is not lost. “With psychological interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma counselling, these children can rebuild their confidence and go on with their lives," she explains.
Nakuru County Director of Education, Victoria Mulili, confirmed that the matter at Kenana School remains under investigation.
For Beatrice, however, the pain is still fresh decades later, a stark reminder of how words and actions from those in authority can shape or shatter a child’s future.