Abstract:
Corporal punishment has become a topical issue in the world today regarding its usage
and effectiveness in schools. The purpose of the study was to assess the nature,
prevalence and effectiveness of Corporal punishment in Ejisu–Juaben basic schools.
The study employed a descriptive sample survey design. A sample of 90 respondents
comprising of 30 teachers/ headmasters and 60 pupils was used. Two sets of
questionnaire were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using frequencies
and percentages. The major findings of the study were that offences that attracted
corporal punishment include bullying, absenteeism, coming to school late, fighting,
examination malpractices, talking/noise making. Other offences are disrespect of
teachers, leaving school without permission, attack on teachers, pilfering/stealing,
moving about in class, sexual malpractice, damage to school property, drug abuse and
disobedience/violation of school rules and regulations. With regards to the seriousness
of offenses/ misbehaviours, coming to school late, examination malpractices, eating in
class, disrespect of teachers, leaving school without permission, moving about in class,
talking/ noise making, sleeping in class and disobedience /violation of school rules and
regulations were the agreed serious offenses. On the nature and types of corporal
punishments, caning/spanking, kneeling down, scrubbing toilet and urinal pits, weeding
around the school compound, suspension, digging of pits, watering trees and running
round the school block were the corporal punishments given to students in the schools.
With respect to prevalence of punishments used in the schools, caning/spanking of
students, kneeling down, scrubbing toilet and urinal pits, weeding around the school,
watering of trees and running around the school block were often used. Finally, on the
effectiveness of corporal punishments, caning of students, making students kneel down,
making students scrub toilet and urinal pits, weeding around the school, digging pits,
making students water trees and letting students run around the school compound were
the punishments considered to be effective in the schools. It was recommended that
workshops should be organized to sensitize teachers to use more positive strategies of
discipline instead of corporal punishment.
Description:
A Project Report in the Department of Educational Leadership, Faculty of
Education Communication Sciences, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
University of Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for
award of the Master of Arts (Educational leadership) degree
DECEMBER, 2018
