Would you rather dangle the carrot or use the stick?

Sep 28, 2010

ROBINSON Ssenkumba was tied with a rope to a pole in the kitchen at their home in Busundo, Busimbi sub-county. Sylvia Nassazi, his step-mother, was blamed. The Police in Mityana rescued the seven-year-old boy after a tip off from concerned residents who heard the boy crying.

By Doreen Murungi
& Arthur Baguma


ROBINSON Ssenkumba was tied with a rope to a pole in the kitchen at their home in Busundo, Busimbi sub-county. Sylvia Nassazi, his step-mother, was blamed. The Police in Mityana rescued the seven-year-old boy after a tip off from concerned residents who heard the boy crying.

The scars on his body indicated torture. He also testified to being beaten and given very little food. Nassazi said she locked the boy in the kitchen because he was stealing from the neighbourhood.

“I did not want to beat him. I left him in the kitchen so that he does not steal anything from the neighbours, I was just disciplining him,” Nassazi said. She was charged with child torture.
The media is awash with stories of adults meting harsh disciplinary measures on children.

Corporal punishment was outlawed in schools five years ago, but the debate on whether the stick or the carrot is better at disciplining children has not ended in schools and homes. Corporal punishment is still practised in many schools and homes. Many teachers and parents believe it is the only effective way to discipline children. Many believe that caning can greatly and effectively discipline stubborn and lazy pupils. Some schools set up certain grades which students must score and those who fail are caned in order to improve.

However critics think corporal punishment is an outdated and barbaric method. Studies have also concurred with this school of thought. Caning, slapping or shouting at children, do more harm than good, US researchers have revealed. According to the US study conducted by the University of Michigan in Kenya, Thailand, India, Italy, the Philippines and China, caning is likely to make children more aggressive and anxious than passive and receptive, the changes desired by a parent.

The studies show that harsh physical punishments do not improve students’ behaviour or academic performance. In fact, one recent study in the US found that in states where corporal punishment is frequently used, schools have performed worse academically than those in states that prohibit corporal punishment.

The Society for Adolescent Medicine found that victims of corporal punishment often develop difficulty with concentration, lowered school achievement, anti-social behaviour, intense dislike of authority, a tendency for school avoidance and school drop-out, and other evidence of negative high-risk adolescent behaviour.

Caning or rewards: what do you think?
Aida Nakiwala, a teacher at Sir Apollo Kaggwa PS
I do not recommend caning because it makes children fear the teacher and lose interest in that teacher’s lesson. What really motivates is positive reinforcement. Incentives as opposed to caning increase children’s morale and make them love what they do.

Patricia Katema, a student at Ndejje PS
For people like me who have health problems, it is not good to beat us. Some teachers stubbornly cane us even after our parents have talked to them.

Ferdinand Mulekezi, a teacher at Kampala City Parents School
Giving a reward is not bribery, so children need to be motivated. There are parents who believe their children need punishment to perform but we believe in engaging the parents and motivating the pupils.

Esther Nawajja, a social worker
A child needs counselling but in case the child does not respond, caning to discipline the child is okay but should not be done harshly.

Jovia Namwanje, a pupil at Zzana View PS
Caning should only be done if the pupil fails to do what he has been told to do many times. If you cane me for poor academic performance, I may get used to the caning and become dull in class but if the teacher talks to me, I will fear to disappoint him.

Betty Kanyunyuzi, a businesswoman
Rewards alone cannot bring about good behaviour. Once in a while, it is okay to cane because if you spare the rod, you will spoil the child. When a child does wrong, cane him or her and when the child changes, appreciate by giving a reward. Both methods should be used.

Lillian Nanono, a beautician

Caning will only worsen a child’s behaviour. It is best to use other means of motivating the child.

Benard Matovu, a pupil at Ndejje View PS
After a teacher has caned us, we improve but keep fearing him. They should forgive us.

Compiled by Doreen Murungi

Do you think corporal punishment is the best way to impart good behaviour in a child? Send your ideas to mwalimu@newvision.co.ug or through sms: Type mwalimu, leave space, your comment and name, send to 8338 (only on networks within Uganda)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});