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Corporal punishment in this day and age?

May 01, 2013 Letters

 

 
Dear Editor,
I noticed the caption ‘GTU against abolition of corporal punishment’ (KNews April 30th) and was saddened by the statement.  However, my blood began to boil when I saw the follow up assertion, ‘alternative methods not effective enough’.
I would like to ask the GTU the following key questions (a) What were the alternative methods? (b) To what extent were the alternative methods tried and tested? (c) What were the findings of the review and reflection processes?
More importantly, it is beggar’s belief that in this era of children’s educational development, corporal punishment or child abuse still occupies a place ‘to better mould future generations’ (GTU).  If, as a nation, we have to resort to abuse to shape young people for the future, then we have a huge problem on our hands.  More over, citing assault on teachers by students as a justification for maintaining this barbaric act is tantamount to exploitation, neglect and violence.  Why endorse an act of criminality?
The GTU is a representative body of a field of professionals at all levels of the educational institution.  Men and women capable of formulating opinions and transforming these into strategies and concrete solutions to effectively combat and oppose corporal punishment.  There are many alternatives. Support these experts to find them, try them and evaluate the outcomes before endorsing wrongdoings.
I am of the view that the leadership of the GTU failed to provide its members with enough analytical research on the benefits, if any, or the detriments of corporal punishment, for them to make an informed decision.  More has to be done, even if it means spending more time on surveys, consultations and wider travels before arriving at a conclusion.
Change for many is like risk-taking.  However, given the current state of affairs in Guyana one can surmise that corporal punishment in schools is the root cause, in more ways than one, for the high levels of domestic violence, youth and adult crimes, over-crowded prisons, truancy and illiteracy.  I would challenge anyone who chooses to oppose this premise.  Research shows that the use of physical punishment risks perpetuating the use of violence by successive generations (Canadian Medical Association Journal, Feb 6th, 2012).
Communities, schools and teachers can make a difference to the so-called violent mind-set, created by a failed system, of our young people, by providing them with the required tools for redress, restorative justice and conflict resolutions.  The GTU recognised that corporal punishment ‘may not be ethical’.  If it isn’t, then why continue to support a system that breeds injustice?
If it wasn’t for ‘lashes from both her teachers and parents, she would not have been able to read and write’ (Mavis Braithwaite).  Fantastic!  Is this supposed to be good news?  Are we to endorse, support and celebrate the unfortunate fact that one person was beaten before they could read and write?  How many others were not beaten and were able to read and write?  We all need to wake up and smell the coffee.  Corporal punishment was not right 50 years ago and it is still not right today.  It is time for change.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNICEF, 1989) offers valuable tools to combat the use of corporal punishment.  It requires Governments to take preventive action, including the provision of human rights education and training and by creating an environment conducive to the administration of discipline, ‘in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity’.  The debate should continue.
Brendon Mounter

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