Corporal punishment still prevalent in schools

Corporal punishment is prevalent in schools and homes in Ghana despite legal and administrative measures to discourage the practice.

Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Head of Research and Advocacy Division of the Department of Children who made this known said it is the most used form of punishment.

He was speaking at a forum for teachers, parents, community heads and pupils on Wednesday at Abutia-Tegbleve, a farming community in Ho Municipality.

Mr Kyei-Gyamfi based his assertion on a survey carried out by the Department in 2008 in the Volta, Ashanti, Central, Northern and Western regions.

He said the situation is at variance with the trend in the world. Mr Kyei-Gyamfi said although some children had accepted the practice as normal it represents an abuse of their rights, adding that punishment with the prime motive to inflict pain is inhuman.

He said the practice is not the best, adding “you don’t punish children but you correct them”.   

He said children who are products of such practices are often timid. Mr Kyei- Gyamfi said it had been proven that some kids are not doing well in school because of harshness of some teachers and the use of the cane.

He noted that canning hardened kids and turns some of them into liars. He expressed regret some teachers are flouting the regulation that allows only the head teacher to use the cane on pupils.

Mr Edwin Gamadeku, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children said violent correctional methods generally are unproductive, against the laws and must be stopped.