Beyond the Cane: Teachers' Perspectives on the Ban of Corporal Punishment in Ghanaian First- Cycle Schools

Abstract

Despite policy advancements, corporal punishment remains prevalent in Ghanaian first- cycle schools, with limited empirical data on caning practices and teacher attitudes toward the national ban. This study examines the prevalence of corporal punish ment, educators' perspectives on its prohibition and influencing factors. Conducted across 10 administrative regions in Ghana, the research purposively sampled 60 first- cycle schoolteachers (68.3% female and 31.7% male) and gathered data through in- depth interviews, analysed thematically. Findings reveal an even split in attitudes toward the ban, with 50% supporting and 50% opposing it. Female teachers exhibited a higher inclination toward corporal punishment, reflecting pressures to assert authority in male- dominated classrooms. The results underscore the complexity of disciplinary practices and highlight the need for tar geted interventions and policy reforms to promote non- violent methods, ensuring a safe learning environment for all students.