A Form Four learner at Nyakatsapa High School in Mutasa District has been expelled after allegedly urinating in a bottle while seated in a classroom — a move that has ignited debate over school discipline, mental well-being, and the treatment of final-year students facing disciplinary action.
The male learner, who was a boarder at the school, has since been barred from attending regular classes and will now have to sit for his Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level examinations as a private candidate in the upcoming term. The school has withheld the student’s identity due to his age.
The incident, which took place during a live lesson, reportedly shocked fellow learners and the teacher present. According to school authorities, it was considered the culmination of a series of disciplinary infractions, though the act of urinating in a bottle was cited as the primary reason for expulsion.
However, the learner’s father has come forward to express frustration and disappointment with the school’s handling of the matter. In an interview, he alleged that his son had requested to be excused to relieve himself but was denied permission by the teacher.
“My child asked to go to the toilet and was not allowed. What hurts me most is that instead of looking at the bigger picture and finding a corrective solution, the school chose to expel him. He is only a few months away from sitting for his final exams,” said the distraught father.
He argued that while the act itself was inappropriate, expulsion — particularly at such a critical academic juncture — was an excessive punishment.
“The school could have found a better way to deal with the issue. Even if there were other past incidents, the focus now should be ensuring this child completes his education. A more diplomatic approach would have been best, especially considering he’s in Form Four,” he said.
Nyakatsapa High Learner Expelled After Urinating in Bottle During Class: Family Decries Decision as Harsh
The father emphasized that the decision had placed unnecessary psychological pressure on the boy, who must now prepare for his national examinations outside of a structured learning environment.
When reached for comment, Nyakatsapa High School headmaster Mr. Misheck Rwizi confirmed the incident but deferred the matter to his deputy head, who handled the disciplinary proceedings.
“Yes, I was informed about it. The parent came and discussed the issue with the deputy headmaster. The matter of urinating in a bottle during class was indeed reported,” said Mr. Rwizi.
He further revealed that the learner had previously been involved in other disciplinary violations, which cumulatively contributed to the administration’s decision to expel him.
“This was not the first time the learner had been in trouble. There had been other incidents before. The latest one, however, was deemed too disruptive and inappropriate to ignore,” Mr. Rwizi said.
Despite the justification offered by the school, the incident has drawn mixed reactions from the community, with some supporting the school’s firm stance on discipline, while others believe the situation could have been handled with greater empathy and sensitivity.
Educational experts and child rights advocates have since weighed in on the case, urging schools to adopt more rehabilitative disciplinary approaches, particularly for final-year students.
“This is a classic case of an institution failing to balance discipline with empathy,” said a former school principal and education consultant based in Manicaland. “We must ask ourselves whether the goal is to punish or to support the learner through a critical academic period.”
The consultant noted that barring a student from school so close to their final exams could have long-term consequences on their academic progress and emotional well-being.
Some parents have also suggested that the incident may reflect broader issues around student support, especially for boarders who may lack adequate outlets to address stress, anxiety, or medical needs.
“Maybe the child was desperate or ill. We don’t know the full story. But removing a learner from school before exams should always be a last resort,” said a parent with children at a neighbouring school.
As the student now faces the daunting task of preparing for ZIMSEC exams without formal instruction, calls are growing for a more compassionate and student-centred disciplinary framework across schools.
Education officials in the province have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but sources within the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education indicate that the case may prompt internal reviews of how schools deal with complex student behaviour, especially where mental health or exam readiness is at stake.
Meanwhile, the affected learner is reportedly back home with his family and will be making arrangements to register as a private candidate for the October examination session.
