Corporal Punishment as a Strategy for Managing Behaviour: Perspectives of Children of Inclusive Schools in Ghana

Abstract

Discipline is about correcting children's behaviour and helping them make informed decisions. The manner some educators, teachers and parents often choose to discipline children is complicated. Children opinion about these disciplinary measures cannot be overemphasized. The problem is that some teachers still resort to corporal punishment in the classroom in schools in Ghana as at the time this research was being conducted. Some parents and teachers still support corporal punishment. The objective for conducting this study, was to find out how children think about the use of corporal punishment as a strategy in managing their behaviour.  This is a concern for educational practitioners in Ghana and the world at large.  Children in the Junior High Schools in Ghana took part in this study. In all, 636 school children in inclusive schools were involved in the study. The study revealed that, some children were of the view that excessive use of the corporal punishment causes disrespect, aggressiveness, sickness and indiscipline. On the other hand, some of the children think that corporal punishment put fear in children and makes them very timid. It again makes students hate their teachers and parents; feel angry and belittled. The study concluded that corporal punishment does not totally eliminate bad behaviour and it can lead to death of a students. Some teachers do it excessively and its application is abused. The children think that when they feel loved they are drawn closer to their parents, teachers and educators when they need help or advice. The implication to the policy is that Corporal punishment should not be encouraged in schools in Ghana.