Punishment in schools should only be remedial
Dec 15, 2008
EDITOR—There should be a more systematic method of punishment in our schools. I am concerned about the kind of punishments school administrators mete out on students.
EDITOR—There should be a more systematic method of punishment in our schools. I am concerned about the kind of punishments school administrators mete out on students.
The purpose of a punishment should be remedial. Unfortunately, those who carry out punishments in schools seem to derive pleasure from it! There is evidence of students who have been beaten into a coma or paralysis!
This is human rights abuse although it is given little attention by society. Many times students have no chance to express their concern because of fear of getting more punishment.
A student may complain to a headmaster about a teacher who habitually canes students severely. Instead of the headmaster keeping this information confidential and investigating it, he confronts the teacher in front of the student! I do not need to discuss what is likely to happen in such a situation.
In some cases, such teachers start boasting about how not even the headmaster can stop them from doing what they want. Then there are the administrators who think that the need for evidence and proof before punishment is reserved for only courts of law.
They do not stop to think how some punishments like suspension or expulsion can have very adverse effects. Punishment should only be remedial.
Bruno Agababyona
Katikamu SDA SSS
The purpose of a punishment should be remedial. Unfortunately, those who carry out punishments in schools seem to derive pleasure from it! There is evidence of students who have been beaten into a coma or paralysis!
This is human rights abuse although it is given little attention by society. Many times students have no chance to express their concern because of fear of getting more punishment.
A student may complain to a headmaster about a teacher who habitually canes students severely. Instead of the headmaster keeping this information confidential and investigating it, he confronts the teacher in front of the student! I do not need to discuss what is likely to happen in such a situation.
In some cases, such teachers start boasting about how not even the headmaster can stop them from doing what they want. Then there are the administrators who think that the need for evidence and proof before punishment is reserved for only courts of law.
They do not stop to think how some punishments like suspension or expulsion can have very adverse effects. Punishment should only be remedial.
Bruno Agababyona
Katikamu SDA SSS