Implementation Challenges of the Ban on Corporal Punishment in Public Basic Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore implementation challenges of the ban on corporal punishment in public basic schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological research design was adopted. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 25 participants for the study comprising 15 teachers, five headteachers and five School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs). An interview guide was used to collect the data. The interview data was analysed thematically. The study revealed that teachers and headteachers viewed the ban of corporal punishment as the cause of increase in discipline among pupils while SISOs viewed it as a good initiative to stop physical, psychological, and emotional abuse on pupils. It was also found that teachers and supervisors used corporal punishment such as weeding, and fetching of water as Tools for Positive Discipline (TPD). The key challenges teachers and supervisors faced in using the Tools for Positive Discipline are: lack of parents’ cooperation and unavailability of professional school counsellors. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the Ghana Education Service should sensitise parents, teachers, and supervisors on the policy on ban of corporal punishment and the TPD through training workshops and seminars. The Ghana Education Service should recruit and post professional counsellors to schools to provide counselling services to pupils to help curb indiscipline among pupils.