Corporal Punishment And The Rights Of The Child: A Case Study Of Some Public Schools In The Koforidua Municipality

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.