ASSIGNMENT(LEADERSHIP SKILLS)

ALTERERNATIVES TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOL.

Education is one of the most powerful service to development. From individual

happiness, effective participation in development to collective growth in social
and economic world. School should provide children with educational foundation
to build successful independent lives. The school’s environment should be
congenial for active learning.
However, corporal punishment is one of the biggest challenges facing the
equitable access to quality education at both primary and the post primary
educational institution. Large percentage of pupils are dropping out of school.
This undesirable situation is attributed to many challenges but prime amongst is
the widespread of corporal punishment.
Corporal punishment exacts a physical and psychological toll on the lives of
children. Any punishment in which physical force is used as intended to cause
some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. Most involves hitting, kicking,
scratching, pinching, scalding etc.
We have all experience corporal punishment in school, perhaps in a form of
canning. We have grown witnessing it regular use and think of it as normal.
However, times change and with change we gain new knowledge. As custodians
of children’s hope and aspirations we must accept the responsibility of creating
an environment that can make children thrive. There is now a widespread
understanding that corporal punishment is unlawful child abuse and harmful.
There are measures of the knowledge and skills that that are needed to create
safer schools to promote learning, growth and development of children.
The first measure is understanding the behavior of children, thus what
motivates children’s behaviour. For children to develop to their fully potential,
these emotional and psychological needs must be met.
 The need to belong to a group
 Need to be accepted by who matters to them
 Feel emotionally and physically secured
 Respect from peers
 ASSIGNMENT(LEADERSHIP SKILLS)

When these needs are met children becomes more respecting individual who make
positive contribution to their community.
Secondly, is the instituting of positive discipline which help children learn self-
discipline without fear. This involves giving children guideline for what behavior is
acceptable and supporting them as they learn to abide by these guidelines.
Positive attitude includes non-violent consequence for poor behaviour. It uses
consequences that replaces the experience of humiliation. Such as:
 Considering effects of one’s behavior
 Identifying alternatives and preferred behavior
 Demonstrating and understanding why preferred behavior is important.
This approach may require students engaging in essays, making apologies etc.
Thirdly, frustrative non –reward approach can be used. Is whereby a behavior
which are reinforced by feedback from the social environment can be weakened
by removing the child from the source of the feedback E.g. A child who plays
around in class because he enjoys the reaction of the other children. This child
can be made to sit in front whiles he cannot see the other children laughing at
him. Also a child who likes talking can be given time out of the classroom.
Furthermore, privileges can be withdrawn as a form of punishment. That is
staying late after classes or missing break or doing extra class or sometimes
writing lines.
These methodologies can be use as alternatives for corporal punishment to
promote the physical and psychological wellbeing of children at our schools.

NAME: ELLEN OSEI

ID:219TMED020164