The persistent use of corporal punishment contrary to GES policy on corporal punishment, a case of Ejisu-Juaben municipality

Abstract

The Purpose of the study was to find out the extent to which Teachers are aware of Ghana Education Service policy banning corporal punishment and the reasons why corporal punishment persists in schools in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. The study was a Cross-Sectional Survey, which used descriptive survey (structured questionnaire) to gather the data from 340 respondents (100 teachers and 240 students). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. The results of the study revealed that majority of teachers and students are aware of the GES policy banning corporal punishment. In addition, according to the findings, some teachers still use corporal punishment during teaching but do so without recourse to cultural and religious values. The study also revealed that majority of teachers and students want corporal punishment to be abolished but those teachers who still use corporal punishment consider it as an effective learning imperative and a moral imperative. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends an intensive media education to be organize by the Ministry of Education to help conscientise teachers on the negative effects of corporal punishment.