The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its ban on corporal punishment in schools, emphasizing counseling as a preferred correctional measure. This decision aims to promote a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated that flogging is prohibited to prevent injuries, fainting, or even death due to corporal punishment. Instead, the government has adopted counseling and minor punishments like kneeling, picking up dirt, or cutting grass within school premises.
This approach aims to promote positive reinforcement, shaping behavior, and encouraging desired outcomes. By focusing on counseling and minor punishments, the government seeks to address the root causes of misbehavior and provide students with the support they need to succeed.
The commissioner attributed most student misbehavior to poor parental upbringing, emphasizing the need for parents to take responsibility and spend quality time with their children.
This highlights the importance of parental involvement in education and the need for parents to work collaboratively with schools to support student development.
The Lagos State Government banned corporal punishment in 2022 and implemented the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in schools the same year.
This programme aims to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students, and its implementation has contributed to an improvement in discipline among students.
This policy aligns with the federal government’s stance on corporal punishment. In 2022, the Minister of State for Education announced that the government would no longer tolerate bullying in schools. This demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for students across the country.
IThe ban on corporal punishment in Lagos State schools is also in line with international best practices. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes the importance of protecting children from all forms of physical or mental violence, including corporal punishment.
The Lagos State Government’s reaffirmation of the ban on corporal punishment in schools is a positive step, towards promoting a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
By emphasizing counseling and minor punishments, the government is addressing the root causes of misbehavior and providing students with the support they need to succeed.
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