Students’ Perceptions on the Contribution of Corporal Punishment to Discipline and Human Development

Abstract

This study sought to find out the students’ perception on the contribution of corporal punishment to discipline. Students of Labone Senior High School in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality were the population for the study. The target population 400 conveniently selected students in Labone Senior High School. Primary data was collected through questionnaire and interview. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. More than half of the students that were sampled were of the view that corporal punishment teaches respect for authority and helps monitor discipline effectively especially in school. Corporal punishment amongst other types of punishment methods for the effective discipline of students was most preferred by the majority of the sampled students. Caning and kneeling were the commonest types of corporal punishments meted out to students in and outside the classroom; in the school environment. Teachers employed the use of corporal punishment as a discipline tool sparingly so most of the students do not often get scarred by such experience. The students were of the view that corporal punishment was not an avenue for teachers to vent their anger. Well trained teachers were of the view that the laws of Ghana should make provisions so that recalcitrant students can be taken into reformation custody. Furthermore, stakeholders of the education sector should work closely with students and teachers so as to bring positive impact to the student concerned.