Some parents in Enugu StateIn southeastern Nigeria, they have called on school authorities to get rid of corporal punishment and instead adopt counseling to correct students.
The controversy over the death of a student at Dowen College in Lagos state has sparked other debates about activities in Nigerian schools, as well as how authorities could curb harassment among students.
The parents, who spoke to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday, said corporal punishment was outdated and not the best way to correct errant children.
Sam Udekwe, father and vice president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council, said that corporal punishment was no more acceptable to society.
“What is happening in schools is an extension of what is happening at home.
“The human management strategy must be applied and that must start from the home.
“I am reluctant to corporal punishment because it is now outdated due to our modern way of life,” he said.
Mr. Udekwe called for the use of guidance and counseling in schools “to help build the well-being of students.”
Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, father and former international boxer, said children need proper guidance and to be taught the truth about life.
According to him, the negative behavior of children would be better reduced by telling them the truth about life.
“I don’t believe in imposing severe punishment on them, but I do believe in the kind of democratic training and teaching.
“Most of the time, children can be unfairly beaten. Inflicting physical harm on a child amounts to hatred on the part of the teacher, thus leaving a void between teacher and student.
“Once there is hatred, the relationship between the teacher and the student will be in jeopardy,” he said.
Norbert Okolie, father and spokesman for the ‘Rangers’, said corporal punishment helped to some extent, but should not be the final solution.
School students in Lagos
He said parents have many responsibilities at home to ensure that children are properly guided in the early stages of their lives.
“Certainly the introduction of corporal punishment will help, but parents need to do a lot, rather than chase money.
“Proper training at home will go a long way toward ensuring that our children are soaked in good manners from home before being refined by school,” he said.
Maureen Ikpeama, a civil servant, said that counseling was what the modern age required and should be used appropriately, considering the age of the students.
“Some students or pupils may not even understand the reason for corporal punishment because they cannot correctly interpret their misconduct.
“In addition, the teacher must be a role model of the behavior they want from their pupils, since many of the latter now learn from what they see,” he said.
Chinwe Ukaejiofor, Principal of St. Bartholomew High School, Asata, Enugu, said there were many ways to treat errant students and “that the punishment to be meted out depends on the severity of the offense committed.”
Ms. Ukaejiofor said that “some misbehavior had to be traced back to the student’s home to determine the cause.”
“Despite the existence of other forms of correction, we cannot eliminate corporal punishment because that is the only language that some students understand,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the director of the school’s nursery section, Evelyn Obiora, said a child at the nursery level needs close monitoring.
According to her, “some of the misbehaviors of the children required immediate discipline to stop them and that is where corporal punishment comes into play.”
“Corporal punishment should not be used all the time because it scares children away,” he said.
Ms. Obiora said that developing a cordial relationship with children makes it easier to detect uncomfortable behaviors in them.
Richard Asata Kindergarten and Elementary School Director Maureen Ude said the best way was to be friendly with the students.
“We don’t use corporal punishment these days because a child can open up when he’s relaxed.
“As for teenagers, we advise them on the right things to do, as the use of corporal punishment can drive them crazy,” Ms. Ude said.
(YAYA)