Nature, prevalence and effectiveness of corporal punishment in basic schools in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality

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.