We must find alternatives to corporal punishment
Dollarman Fatinato
Arson attacks in schools is not new in Kenya. It has become a perennial problem especially in public institutions.
The recent cases have opened up discussion about re-introduction of corporal punishment in schools.
The Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ministry of Education (MoE) Prof Magoha last Thursday championed for its reintroduction, arguing that it may aid in reducing criminal activities.
He added that parents will cater for installation of destroyed property by their children and that children found guilty will be expelled. He also warned head teachers from admitting said students.
The questions that lingers include: how far would proposals by the CS go in taming unruly behavior among the students and guide them in becoming responsible citizens in adulthood?
The government banned corporal punishment in Kenyan schools in 2001 and enacted the Children’s Act, which entitles children to protection from all forms of abuse and violence.
Kenya is also a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that discipline involving violence is unacceptable.
The repeal of this Act will do more harm than good, as the risks and disadvantages associated with corporal punishment outweighs the advantages.
Whereas it helps to serve as a deterrent and keep children under control, some students may drop out of school due to fear or become hostile to or even attack their teachers.
The other challenge is regulation of the same, we have previously seen children beaten and severely injured by teachers; some have died from the beating.
Then the teacher is forced to face the law. Caning is never the best option and should remain banned, teachers have been and they can further be capacity-built in administering non–corporal punishments.
Blanket condemnation and victimisation of students and parents after arson attacks or any other form of destruction of schools is unfair.
Why should a parent of a well-disciplined kid be forced to contribute or pay what his/her child never destroyed?
As the CS suggests, drug abuse among students may also be contributing to unacceptable behavior being witnessed, but how are these students accessing the drugs within the school vicinity? There are more questions than answers to this.
The move to test and expel students found with traces of drugs in their blood and further barring them from any other school goes against the right to education enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
There exist many ways of dealing with drug abuse among students from basic counselling to rehabilitation which the ministry should prioritise.
Recent increase in electricity penetration and advancement in technology in Kenya present a window of opportunity to drastically reduce or end the unfortunate incidents in schools.
Nearly all public boarding schools have electricity and where not, solar panels can be used to support the installation and utilisation of surveillance cameras.
Using professionally installed CCTV systems will help in quick identification of crime attackers be it a student, teacher, or an intruder, and save students and parents from blanket victimization and forced recompense.
The CS should reconsider his earlier sentiments and invite the Ministry of ICT to see the actualisation of such long-lasting solutions.
Which will also have other collateral benefits such as improved quality of teaching and work ethic among teachers and increased educational achievement by monitoring student’s attendance in class. — The writer is a reproductive health advocate
