Stop using corporal punishment to discipline children
By Sewmini, aged 16, Young leader from Sri Lanka
Children: little blooming flowers facing many forms of abuse in various cities and schools throughout Sri Lanka. I would like to focus my blog on abuse that takes place in schools by drawing examples from the lives of my own friends back at home. Being hit with sticks, pulled by the ear and scolded, forced to kneel, been humiliated in front of peers, asked to clean toilets and drains are a few of the abuses they have faced.
While these are common methods used by teachers to discipline students, it has been reported that 80.4 per cent of children have been subject to some form of physical abuse in Sri Lanka. This makes me think of the emotional harm that these children undergo and its effect on their future. Not only do children grow up to be rebellious, but they also grow up faster and lose their fear of punishment when constant abuse becomes a daily occurrence in their lives. This leads to children fearlessly engaging in wrong acts with no fear of its repercussions.
Mostly, we are subject to this type of punishment when we have not completed our homework, when we do not come to school on time, for being in a romantic relationship, when we do not behave well in school or when we are not properly dressed for school.
It is also interesting to note that this type of punishment of children has its roots in the past. A popular poem in my country states – “Please don’t use canes, twigs and branches of trees on my hand – from now on I will come to school early”.
Owing to such punishment, children break down mentally as well as emotionally. For the mistake or wrongdoing of one child, the entire class is punished. How unfair is that?
As a child representative on behalf of all the children of Sri Lanka, I would like to ask you a question; Why is it that adults who commit greater offences and engage in much more serious wrong acts, are not subject to physical punishment?
The only thing that physical punishment does to us is that it makes it more difficult for us to honour adults and instead we feel angry with them. School, which is supposed to be a place of fun and learning, instead turns out to be detested and hated. If only adults, especially teachers and parents could find an alternative method to correct and discipline a child. Only then would we be able to change this situation into a better and more positive one. Here are a few of my suggestions
- Show love to children to an extent that they are able to feel it
- Positive methods of correcting a child
- Cleaning the school
- Requesting him/her to spend some time helping a weaker student with their studies.
- Giving an opportunity to perform at an assembly or other meeting point.
- Explaining the gravity of their wrongdoing in a gentle manner.
- Introducing to teachers various positive ways of disciplining a child
- Organizing awareness sessions for teachers.
As such, I humbly plead with you to use better and more constructive ways of correcting children and stop using corporal punishment to discipline children.
About the Author
Sewmini is a representative of the Children’s Societies in her rural communities. She is particularly interested in addressing the issue of violence against children and trying to find solutions to this problem so children can enjoy their childhood. She is an active member of the World Vision Young Leaders project, which is a global programme that aims to empower and provide spaces and opportunities for young leaders to stand against violence towards children and promote social changes in their communities.