Azeezah Adewunmi
Lagos State Government has reiterated its stance against the use of corporal punishment in public schools, emphasizing the adoption of counseling and minor corrective measures as alternatives to flogging.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting students from physical harm and promoting positive behavioral changes.
He emphasized that flogging as a form of punishment for misbehavior remains strictly prohibited. The decision, he explained, aims to prevent potential injuries, fainting, or even fatalities that could result from such physical discipline.
“There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment to students/pupils,” Alli-Balogun said, adding that counseling is now the preferred method for correcting students.
Minor punishments such as kneeling, picking up dirt, and cutting grass on school grounds are still permissible, the commissioner noted.
These actions, he explained, serve as positive reinforcement techniques, designed to help students understand the consequences of their behavior and encourage better decision-making.
“The idea is to bring to the student’s knowledge, reasons they must not misbehave. Counseling is essentially aimed at correction,” he stated.
Alli-Balogun also addressed the role of parents in shaping student behavior, attributing much of the misbehavior observed in schools to poor parental guidance. He urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s upbringing, emphasizing the importance of providing both time and attention.
“Parents must wake up to their responsibilities and have time for their children,” he stressed.
Since the state’s ban on corporal punishment in 2022, the Lagos State Government has implemented the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in schools, a move aimed at promoting a safer and more conducive learning environment.
The commissioner noted that there has been a noticeable improvement in student discipline, with students now becoming more aware of their actions and the consequences they carry.
“As a government, we will continue to do our best to eradicate indiscipline and make the learning environment friendly for all,” Alli-Balogun concluded.
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