Corporal Punishment And The Rights Of The Child: A Case Study Of Some Public Schools In The Koforidua Municipality
Date
2002
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
In recent years there has been tension between parents and teachers as a result
of the use of the cane as a disciplinary tool in schools. The passage of some
legislative instruments on the rights of the child has to a large extent contributed
to the debate as to whether corporal punishment should be administered in
schools or not. The legal position is that the child should be protected from all
physical or mental violence, injury or maltreatment. Teachers also contend that
without the cane, discipline in schools would be ineffective. The current study
therefore examined the use of the cane in schools in the New Juaben
Municipality and the extent to which it is used. The study relied on both primary
and secondary materials.
There was also personal observation and interaction with education authorities.
It was found out that hundred percent (100%) of teachers favoured the use of
the cane as a necessary disciplinary tool in schools. The indiscriminate use of
the cane in the study area led me to conclude that teachers are unaware of
children's rights under the laws of Ghana and are therefore constantly violating
laws that forbid the physical infliction of pain or injury on children. It is
necessary that special orientation on the fundamental rights of the child be put
in place for teachers.
Description
MA in African Studies
Keywords
Corporal Punishment, Public Schools, Child rights, Koforidua Municipality, Ghana