Latest update January 8th, 2025 12:02 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

GTU against government’s plans to ban Corporal punishment in schools

Oct 28, 2015 News

The Guyana Teachers Union in recent years has always been very vocal about their disagreement whenever the issue of eradicating Corporal punishment in schools was brought up.
In light of recent statements made by Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine regarding the eradication of Corporal punishment within schools, the GTU has once again raised their disagreement to the Ministry’s intent.
GTU President, Mark Lyte recently stated that the “union’s position remains the same on the issue. We are not supportive of Corporal Punishment being taken out of the schools, as the Ministry is yet to put alternatives in place to deal with aggressive children.”
Lyte said that when various (proven) alternative measures have been put in place, only then will the union rethink its stance on Corporal punishment. “Unless the Minister provides effective measures to deal with badly-behaved children, we as a union must say that this must remain.”
The need for Welfare Officers was also highlighted as teachers are said to be ill-equipped to deal with children who may need counseling. Lyte stated that the current systems in place relating to Welfare Officers are poor at best. It was stated that two Officers will have to cater for 40-60 children.
It was the view of Lyte that teachers are often left with nothing to ensure students are kept in line. The only measure in place which gives them some semblance of authority is Corporal punishment.
The issue has over the years caused many discussions and public debates and despite many calls for the practice’s abolishment, to date it has not happened. However, it must be noted that not all teachers are allowed to discipline students. That right is reserved for the Head teachers of the school or a senior teacher who must be under supervision at the time of disciplining the child.
The Minister had recently revealed his disappointment that such acts are still being practiced in the school system and intimated that Corporal punishment can often lead to psychological scarring as it is no different from physical abuse. He said that classrooms should not be a place of fear but rather, one of learning. It is for this reason that the Minister is looking to do away with the archaic practice by adjusting relevant legislation in the near future.
He stated that a central counseling body will be established soon and trained Counselors will be attached to each school.
In the year 2013, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), in the wake of mounting calls for the abolition of Corporal punishment within schools, stated that the practice’s abolishment is not something they support. GTU Secretary at the time, Coretta McDonald opined that the abolition of Corporal Punishment may prove to be disastrous for teachers as there are many hostile children in their classrooms. Many members of the GTU stated that Corporal punishment is the only tool available to them to better mould future generations.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

National Indoor Recurve Archery tournament to shoot off from January 18 at Cyril Potter College Auditorium 

National Indoor Recurve Archery tournament to shoot off from January...

Jan 07, 2025

Kaieteur Sports-Archery Guyana (AG) is set to host a 2-day National Indoor Senior Recurve tournament on January 18 and 19 2025, at the Cyril Potter College Auditorium, Turkeyen Campus. Getting the...
Read More
GDF ‘A’ crowned GFF/Maid Marian Women’s Cup champions

GDF ‘A’ crowned GFF/Maid Marian Women’s Cup...

Jan 07, 2025

Harpy Eagles to bowl off practice games ahead of Regional Four-Day Title defence

Harpy Eagles to bowl off practice games ahead of...

Jan 07, 2025

Former British Guiana footballer Alvin Geronimo Braithwaite dead at 82

Former British Guiana footballer Alvin Geronimo...

Jan 07, 2025

Guyanese MMA star Harris set for octagon return on January 11

Guyanese MMA star Harris set for octagon return...

Jan 06, 2025

GCF Calls Urgent Extraordinary General Meeting to Resolve Leadership Crisis

GCF Calls Urgent Extraordinary General Meeting to...

Jan 06, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • Boxing should be banned

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Olympic boxing now finds itself as at a crossroads. A recent report in the Kaieteur News... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]