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Caning Is not the Antidote to Student Indiscipline
Related to country: Kenya

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For the last few weeks, we have watched in disbelief as students razed down school buildings which took many years to be put up, all in the name of airing their grievances.Granted that some of their grievances are legitimate, arson, violence and chaos will not solve anything.However, it seems that the students were only imitating what they had observed earlier in the year ,when citizens resulted to violence as the way to express their dissatisfaction with the flawed elections.That being said, the students' actions are still inexcusable.

Many people are calling for the re-introduction of corporal punishment to address the rising cases of student indiscipline. However, I feel that caning will not solve discipline problems in our schools.Caning in itself is a form of violence (inflicting physical pain ) and it does not serve as a good model, because the students learn that it is ok to use violence on those who have done wrong.

Caning does not eliminate the undesired behaviour, but rather suppresses i,t hence the student does not reform.Students may also adopt antisocial behaviors such as lying, so as to avoid being caned.

In the past, when caning was still in use as a behaviour change strategy, teachers were known to abuse corporal punishment, and to even cause physical harm to students.

Students are also human beings and must be treated with respect and dignity.

There should also be dialogue in schools; students should be given a chance to talk about their grievances without being victimized.Let the students be heard and be involved in making their learning experience better, so that they do not result to violence as the sure way to be seen and heard.

There are so many reasons why students should not be caned, especially because there are many other strategies that can be used to modify students' behaviour positively, and all teachers should be trained on how to use such strategies effectively.

If the cane must be used,as sometimes is the case, then there should be clear guidelines on when it should be used.I would suggest that it only be used if it is the most effective method for modifying the behaviour in question i.e. there is no other better method of modifying the behaviour.

So even as we contemplate student indiscipline, let us not get so emotional about it, but let us come up with reasonable guidelines on how to discipline our children without having to result to violence.

July 29, 2008 | 10:47 AM Comments  0 comments

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