Corporal punishment as perceived by private primary school teachers of Gulberg, Lahore
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Date
2005
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UMT, Lahore
Abstract
Student life is the most golden period of life but the condition of 'haves' and 'have-nots' are not equal due to the teaching strategies and using positive and negative aids for refining and returning of child's behaviour. Regarding Islamic point of view hitting children is permissible by quoting some Hadeeth, exhortation to physically discipline children if they don't pray after they have reached the age of puberty, which is being over interpreted. The early history of Corporal Punishment is unclear but the practice was certainly present in classical civilization and then Medieval Europe. From the Sixteenth century onwards, new trends were seen even now, in the modem world Corporal Punishment remains a common way of disciplining children. Opinions of Corporal punishment of children are varied. Culturally, people in the region generally believe a minimal amount of Corporal punishment for their own children is appropriate and necessary and thus such practice is tolerated by the society as a whole. Corporal punishment is both legal and violent because both are intentional, it cames a powerful message aside from the immediate efect intended. Corporal Punishment is deeply traumatic for young children. Having rejected the arguments that support the total abandonment of Corporal Punishment, some positive arguments for preserving the option of limited Corporal Punishment. a) Corporal punishment punishes only the guilty, b) Corporal Punishment in the scale ot punishment. 8 c) Being beaten is not good in itself but Corporal Punishment can be unjust in multitude ways. An important question whether Corporal Punishment is an unacceptably cruel or degrading form of punishment. The arguments raised by those who believe that Corporal Punishment leads to abuse, is degrading, is psychologically damaging, stems from and causes sexual deviance, teaches the wrong lesson, arises from and causes poor relationship between teachers (or parents) and children, does not deter. Educational experts argue that the long term costs of Corporal Ptmishment outweigh any short term benefit that might be gained by its application. Because Corporal Punishment or other degrading treatments can have some psychological effects on children. Effects on classroom discipline and instruction then on school dropouts. 'Violence against children within the family and in schools' a general discussion was held by OHCHIR in Sep 2001 and submission by NGOs coalition on child rights Pakistan. According to the report 57.3%' Corporal Punishment is necessary, 68.7% Corporal Punishment is important to maintain discipline, 40.7% Govt. Schools and 35.4% in private Schools Corporal Punishment is allowed, 43% respondents were not aware of any code or regulation about the use of Corporal Punishment. Every industrialized country in the world now prohibits school Corporal Punishment except, the US, Canada and one state in Australia. No Corporal Punishment in schools of Pakistan stated by Federal Education Minister Zobaida Jalal and NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani. Regarding the recommendations or alternatives to Corporal Punishment a) Positive reinforcement (b) Guidance and counseling (c) Alternative punisliment (d) Setting rules and expectations (e) Praise (f) Selective ignoring (g) Time - out (h) Consequences (i) Motivators (j) Reminders (k) Negotiation (1) Withdrawing Privileges (m) Holding the family meetings