By Politico staff writer
The Ministry or Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has in a press statement announced the Anti-corporal Punishment initiative, reinforcing a ban on corporal punishments from all schools across the country including private owned schools.
The move to introduce the anti-corporal punishment initiative in schools according to the press statement will promote positive disciplinary methods and effectively reinforce ban on the practice of corporal punishment in all schools nationwide.
Ban on Corporal punishments in schools is one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Report after the eleven years civil war. The ministry’s statement also quoted a recent report by SABI that noted that People with Disability are more likely to report flogging in schools than those that are not physically challenged.
“According to the most recent Strengthening Accountability Building Inclusion (SABI) report, almost, all (89%) students reported that they are flogged in schools. Flogging, more than once a week is the most common frequency reported by 56 % of the students,” the statement reads.
It added that: “Those most likely to report flogging are students with disability (7% PWD), 5% for people without disability, and those likely to report being flogged more than once a week were pregnant girls or women 83%.”
The ministry noted that it is seeking to completely remove violence against students through the implementation of a comprehensive policy and strategy that includes training and support for teachers in positive discipline techniques in teacher training institutions.
It further acknowledges that role of communities and civil society organizations could play to ensure the protection and safety of children at home and in schools.
Copyright © Politico Online (20/09/21)
