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A 10-year-old girl was beaten to death by a teacher who ordered her classmates to join in - because she could not read. The teacher has gone into hiding following the death of pupil Joy Wangari at Mukandamia Primary School.

It has been claimed that fellow pupils were encouraged to beat Joy up. Parent Mary Wanjiku told Nairobi News: 'The desk mates were ordered to teach her how to read and beat her if she could not. 'The teacher started hitting her on the back when the girl said she could not read.'

It is alleged by parents that classmates were urged to hit Joy in order to cover up the teacher's brutality.

The girl complained to the headteacher and was allowed to go home, where she lived with her 86-year-old grandmother. Neighbour Ann Wairimu said: 'I visited the girl at home and she looked very weak and complained of abdominal and back pains. 

'She said she was beaten by her teacher and classmates.'

Four days after the attack, which happened on Thursday last week, her condition worsened and she was taken to hospital.

Joy died while being treated.

An investigation is underway, Sub-County Director of Education Kamemba Kamande stated.

He said: 'We have not taken any disciplinary action against anyone but, should we find any of the teachers culpable, then we will take action.'

Parent Simon Mureithi claimed that this was not the first instance of violence committed by teachers on pupils.

He said: 'I transferred my child from the school after he was beaten badly by the teacher and there are many others who have the same complaint.  We demand that all the teachers be replaced by more humane ones.'