Can you learn when you are afraid? Can you experience the transformative power of education when your teacher beats you?
Well, evidence shows that violence only creates fear, anger and humiliation which hinders learning. Experts further say that corporal punishment causes physical and psychological harm, and this affects a child’s cognitive development.
These are some of the excerpts from a meeting held by child rights activists under the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network education thematic group in a meeting held at Raising Voices in Kampala.
The activists unanimously agreed to start engaging the different stakeholders starting with schools in a bid to put an end to the practice and promote positive discipline.
The Director, Parenting Uganda, Dorah Andezu says that many people do not appreciate banning corporal punishment and lack information on the subject hence the need for engagements.
“People must understand the difference between punishing and disciplining, many times these are mixed up and caretakers continue to defend their decision to use corporal punishment”. Dorah Andezu said.
Tabitha Ssuubi the Program Manager – Communications at Raising Voices said that beating of children is not necessarily an African practice as some people assert.
“Corporal punishment was introduced by those who brought formal education and after realizing its consequences they started to reverse the practice. Africa is known for positive discipline through story telling”. Ms Suubi noted.
Effects of corporal punishment on children
- Corporal punishment breeds Child Abuse
- It inflicts permanent harm on a child.
- Corporal punishment is a traditional means of enforcing discipline and it is not a logical one.
- It is often ineffective and counterproductive as it does not compel obedience nor necessary bring about the desired deterrence, rather it hardens a person and increases their behavioural problem.
- Corporal punishment is really inhumane, Painful and Barbaric
Recently, Child rights organizations launched the positive discipline coalition to advocate for positive ways of disciplining children.
