The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) warned of deteriorating levels of discipline among students if there were no alternatives to the removal of corporal punishment.
PTUZ said this in a list of demands presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa during a state house meeting last Friday. This comes at a time when Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Paul Mavima, have said government will next year amend the Education Act which will also have provisions to outlaw corporal punishment. Said PTUZ:
Some statements by government officials in relation to indiscipline by learners in schools are having the effect of abetting that scourge. We do not advocate for corporal punishment, but if we are not careful, we will soon face the problem of South Africa. Cases that come to mind are the case in which in Zaka district, a teacher was attacked by a learner at Mutonhori High School. The same happened in Lupane district and Ihlathi secondary school in Bulawayo.
Related:
More: NewZimbabwe.com
Well done for abolishing corporal punishment in school cause this is violence against defenceless young people and remember violence breeds violence. Talk to the child and correct them when they go wrong and give a reason for the correction and give advice. Time for social services to protect children from abusive teachers.
There are only good or bad educators. Use of corporal punishments is harmful for children and totally inappropriate on teens but it’s mostly a sign of educator’s failure. European countries, Australia, New Zealand have found ways to keep discipline without creating future generations of violent, emotionally repressed or depressed parents.
South Africa have social problems unlinked from the fact that there aren’t corporal punishments in school. In countries like Israel or some European countries, where even parents cannot spank kids, they have highest schools results and best kids performances. As parents I cannot imagine my kids hit by some sadistic teacher, with disturbing motivations, enjoying hitting young girls or boys. No way!
I believe corporal punishment is still a valid corrective measure in the hands of teachers.. It’s true that some teachers have abused this before, while that is unacceptable, it is not the norm. In fact corporal punishment is practised in moderation these days unlike in the past.. Spare the rod spoil the child.. It is interesting how ‘ultra modern’ westernized parents would want to plant ‘egalitarianism’ in an environment environment where it’s inapplicable..
What I see in schools is bad teachers who cannot do their job. Corporal punishment is just a teacher lashing out her frustration on defenceless children.