For many years, some teachers don believe say without cane, classroom fit turn entertainment centre where pupils go dey behave like dem attend school to organise party. But fresh research for Lagos don bring another argument enter the matter, as 92.7 per cent of pupils surveyed say teachers fit maintain discipline without using cane. E be like say some students don finally tell their teachers say authority no dey inside cane alone!
The finding, wey Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation present during an engagement organised by Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), don challenge the belief among some school administrators say restriction of corporal punishment don weaken teachers’ authority.
TO DISCIPLINE PUPILS 92.7% OF PUPILS SAY TEACHERS NO NEED CANE TO CONTROL CLASSROOM
According to the research, majority of the pupils surveyed believe say teachers still get enough authority to maintain order even without physical punishment. This position come as some teachers and school leaders don express concern say government restriction on caning fit make classroom management more difficult.
But the students’ response don introduce another perspective into the discussion. Apparently, according to these pupils, teacher authority no be something wey dem dey measure by the number of canes hanging behind the classroom door. Person fit command respect without turning every classroom offence into a physical punishment matter.
The research identify reasonable classroom rules, appropriate consequences, parental involvement, counselling and proper documentation of misconduct as better ways to correct unacceptable behaviour. E also encourage teachers to seek support from their schools whenever disciplinary challenges become difficult to handle.
LAGOS GOVERNMENT WANTS DISCIPLINE WITHOUT VIOLENCE
The research findings come during an engagement organised by Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for school administrators, principals and heads of schools at Lagos City Senior School Hall, Sabo-Yaba.
The agency’s Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, maintain say protecting children from violence must remain important, adding say discipline should never come at the expense of children’s safety and dignity. Another presentation facilitated by Amelia Kentebe also introduced school administrators to practical, child-friendly methods of managing pupils’ behaviour without physical punishment.
For background, Lagos State don adopt a policy prohibiting corporal punishment in public and private schools since 2022. The latest engagement form part of efforts to strengthen implementation of the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and the statewide circular against the use of canes in schools.
However, the conversation no mean say teachers must abandon discipline or allow pupils to do anyhow. Rather, the challenge na how to establish authority, enforce rules and correct misconduct without physical punishment. Because if classroom discipline depend only on cane, wetin go happen when the cane finally disappear?
For now, the 92.7 per cent finding don give supporters of non-violent discipline another important argument. Whether schools go successfully adopt these alternative methods na another matter entirely. OGM News Pidgin go continue to monitor developments as Lagos schools navigate the balance between effective discipline, teachers’ authority and children’s protection. Watch out for further updates!
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