"Hidden curriculum" abuse in parts of Zimbabwe: Is this a new form of child abuse or child labour?

Abstract

This study sought to determine : (a) the nature and extent of "hidden curriculum" abuse perpetrated against pupils by Zimbabwean teachers; and (b) the aetiology of this form of child abuse. In this study, data were collected using two designs : (i) administering the Pupil Questionnaire to a purposefully selected sample of 200 Form 1 pupils; and (ii) asking teacher trainees to write an essay about the forms of child abuse that they observed being perpetrated against pupils by Zimbabwean teachers other than sexual, physical and emotional. Both the epidemiological and aetiological data collected from pupils were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Participants indicated the following forms of "hidden curriculum" abuse perpetrated by teachers : pupils were sent to buy beer or cigarettes; they were made to mind the teacher's baby or child; they were made to wash pots or plates; they were sent to the grinding mill; they were made to fetch firewood; they were sent to fetch water; and they were sent to sell freezits, pop-corn, fruits, etc. The study also showed that pupils were sent to buy vegetables, milk, bread, etc. and were made to cook food. In their essays, teacher trainees indicated that similar forms of child abuse were perpetrated against pupils in schools. The study concluded that Zimbabwean teachers involve pupils in domestic chores at their houses during school hours.