Ria Taitt Political Editor
Sunday, June 22nd 2008
Teachers feel “disempowered” and “abandoned” on the issue of corporal punishment and classroom control as students mock them saying “Government say yuh cyar do me nothing”.
Eighty three per cent of teachers agree that corporal punishment should be allowed in secondary schools. And, according to 62 per cent of teachers, sexual deviance-pornography, sexual intercourse, sexual fondling and kissing- on the school premises are “big problems”.
But the issue on which there is the strongest consensus is the question of parental interest and support. A whopping 90 per cent of teachers say that parents and guardians show little or no interest in their children’s education and provide little or no support.
Full Article…
Also Read
Banning Corporal Punishment of Children
Corporal punishment can be defined as a painful, intentionally inflicted (typically, by striking a child) physical penalty administered by a person in authority for disciplinary purposes. Corporal punishment can occur anywhere, and whippings, beatings, paddlings, and flogging are specific forms of corporal punishment (Cohen, 1984).
Corporal Punishment of Children (Spanking)
The Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children
Human rights, law and corporal punishment
These are laudable stats that can be interpreted in what ever manner our experts can decide. In is however counterproductive to push such a policy at the micro or macro levels when race and ethnicity is such a divisive and sensitive matter.
You would not want to see our illustrious politicians run to the foreign Human Rights Commission and claim abuses whenever a punishment is executed that they disagree with I am sure. It is the unfortunate state our country has succumbed to, and many can be blamed for this.
Our social scientist might be better served to focus on class disparity and its impact on overriding problems that affects us all. Race has become a convenient bogeyman.
Brutalizing children, especially those of the poor and the powerless, postpones the brutality they will wreak on each other and the society.
There is ample evidence that this does not work. Why people want to physically punish others children is beyond my comprehension.
Is this former slave society ever going to be ready to stand as free people? Then we have to stop brutalizing our children, unless the Ministry was also going to give supervisors the authority to whip principls and teachers who demonstrate incompetence. Sauce for the goose and gander.We beat them because they cannot hit back, but just wait. When they hit bac later, the society reels with the crime statistics, like now.
I could not have said it better than Linda Edwards. My gosh! The art and science of oral and written communication must be the methods employed as the “weapon” for learning and gaining superior intelligence. And parent(s) must cease with this beating of the children in order that they obey the rules and regulations of the respective family’s lifestyle. Children learn from observation and through the senses. Children behave as the adults around them. I shudder to think of some of the adults who were around me during my youth—in the classroom and at church. My poor younger sister was beaten so much by a Ms. McNicolls/South Central District, that my younger sister failed to get a great primary education because of this awful beast-beater called a teacher. Ms. McNicolls had a very long, thick hibiscus whip that reached the entire choir at any angle while we sang in utter fear of her whip that could slice your face and body at her whim of dislike for a musical note from the lungs of the potential “victims”. I cannot even imagine beating a child for any reason. I love conversing with a child to the point of my exhaustion of thoughts that would explain an idea to a beautiful/angel– a child’s mind, in order that the child’s brain captures and retains that bit of information for future reference—this is the challenge for these so-called teachers who wish to beat—go beat yourselves for your ignorance.
Licks a slave masters’ tool
One would expect religious extremists to support the reinstatement of corporal punishment. After all it is said, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him”-Proverbs 22:15. And, “Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell”- Proverbs 21:14. And of course, “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die”-Proverbs 23:13. Now folks, that was the latest philosophical ideology of child psychology 101 over 2,000 years ago. Most of the world has moved on since then, creating along the way, a rich array of solid “coercion-free, violent-free” methods for dealing with kids. Some people find it hard to come to terms with ideological change, nevertheless, get with the programme.
It is said Plain talk if bad manners! So, I have no manners.
Taking the “art of corporal punishment” will now empower our youth’s to “do as they like, and no one can touch you.” This is the message from the scientists and those that oppose corporal punishment. The only weapon for our teachers and those charged with educating our children is now on a limb and face extinction. Those same scientists have very intricate names for children when they act out, break the law and become disrespectful in general; yet they attact the tool that has always influenced the way our children are taught how to have manners and respect to their peers and the elders in society.
I remember long ago when just a “cut-eye” from a parent or an adult to a youngster was enough to divert him/her from unwanted behaviour. A mention of the word “belt, whip, switch, pot spoon, dhal gootni or cut-ass,” would stop a child dead in his tracks from bad behaviour. Now, that the power of corporal punishment is sought to be taken away and in some cases has already been taken away; teachers are alapped, kicked, cursed, beaten, threatened and there’s not a “damn” thing anyone can do. Long time it was the adults and parents that ran things; now the children do. The last set of murders and kidnappings in Trinidad involved young me and women under the age of 25. Does this not trouble those that oppose corporal punishment. I guess our nation is following the western world in just one area “political correctness.”
I wonder, would a parent prefer his/her child face corporal punishment or the hangman? I for one would prefer the latter as opposed to the former. I’m a believer that parents shold set the course of thier child’s upbringing and should also be ready to accept the consequences of thier child’s behaviour. They can’t have it both ways.
Those who don’t believe in corporal punishment should also believe that juvenile detention centre’s should be abolished. After all, what’s the point.Miltiple studies has shown that:
1. Putting children in jail don’t work.
2. Spanking don’t work.
3. Time out don’t work.
4. Taking away priviledges don’t work.
Then it seems that the only thing they approve is
1. Counciling
2. Therapy
3. anger management
All of which has never been proven to help children with destructive behaviours. However, those in that particular prefession are all to eager to agree that those are the best methods to try; while fattening thier wallets and bank accounts, and still leaving you with the same destructive child and in some cases even more angry and destructive after attending the therapies, anger management classes etc. There’s one thing that children don’t like, and that is to be “told what to do.” And if their parents can’t take them to task, what makes these scientists think that a stranger can?
Last year on cnn it was proven that most of the child psychologists, therapists and others in the business of raking big bucks trying to change your children, don’t have any children themselves and don’t particularly like children. They just love the high paying jobs that most parents who turn to thearapists have high paying jobs and would pay large sums to change their children.
So those people who believe that strangers could change their children, should also have high paying jobs, because they don’t work for free.
You must admit however that threats of family ostracization have worked splendidly to keep many children in check from particular segments of our population- especially those laden with a few economic spoils- correct?
In the modern world some of us are now recognizing that ‘children learn what they live.’ It is the correct values that you instill by virtue of living an exemplary life yourself- whether as a guardian, parent, mentor, and sometimes leader- that helps dictate whether the child might eventually become a (white/ blue color) criminal, divisive hatemonger, or instead an honest, caring and productive human being, that can be of benefit to his country in particular, and world at large, for generations to come.
There is still abusing going on in Waterloo hindu school. Licks so hard I have heard it from the school gate….is this right for teachers to be bullies if they think they are a pundit and a teacher …..this WATERLOO HINDU SCHOOL should be investigated.
I have now started my son in 1 year but what I seeing in that school if you spell kat for cat LICKS…..something is wrong in that school….the maha sabha should investigate on this matter….also I think if my have to move put to that idiotic teacher class…way before I’m moving him out
Take it easy Sara. If your son spells “kat” for “cat” he needs some licks! With the licks he will begin to spell properly making him a better reader and more educated and more education means a better life. Then you could get out of waterloo! My advice, talk to the teacher before you do or say anything, you may find it’s not as bad as you think. I got licks in my school and I think I read and write decent. I’m not any english major or anything like that, but I can read a contract, a letter, a newspaper etc. Im sure as a parent you hurt when you think of your son being given a lil’ licks, but it won’t kill or disfigure him. It will only help him.
BEfore I came to live in Canada I attended TAcarigua Anglican School, then Mount Hope Junior Sec. then Barataria Senior comp. and I got lix till the day i left. Just help your son with his homework, keep him off the streets and bad company and let the teacher do his/her job and your son and you will be fine.
A few denominational schools might have some flaws , but one should not be too tough on them , as they fill a useful void in terms of building solid character among the young. I started off in a Catolic primary school where I learned my Hail Mary , then switched over to a SDA primary and Secondary where spirituality was a staple diet for all the students . I can still recall the nine strokes , myself and eight other boys got for throwing rocks in some crazy game – in reflection- that struck one of the boys and ‘burst his head.’
Although that wipping felt barbarous back then to most of us, it probably help solidify two useful messages. It is that we should first be mindful of our daily actions, and secondly ,must bear full responsibility when we commit them. I am not too sure if the present Euro- centric , and upper middle class timeouts and similar liberal mechanisms can drive home the point as well.
The value of some form of spirituality in both the home and the school can definitely make a difference as well I believe.
Filix final admonitions to the seemingly young Sarah is spot on , do your part-and I’ll add – be vigilent , and he’ll turn out just fine.
True enough! I’ve noticed that Trinidad and Tobago is trying to modernize into adapting North American laws to address some of society’s familial unrest such as domestic violence, drunk driving, etc. Kudo’s to the law makers taking such initiative. They have also attempted to adopt the Non Corporal punishment in the education system and it’s backfiring on society. Not too far in the past, i recall parents barreling down to the school where their child was give a few strokes with the ruler in the hand or butt and lilterally beating the teacher.
This left teachers scrambling to defend themselves against violence from the now “Empowered” students. Students are now showing wilful disregard for rules and regulations in the schools and teachers get the s**t end of the stick for not having control, a dagerous double standard.
Hence the lack of enthusiasm for some students to take education seriously. Where i come from, Caura Road in Eldorado; i’m used to seeing both boys and girls heading for the river on an hourly and daily basis. The are having sex behind a bamboo patch and laugh when we see them. Sometimes, we even get invited to take part, I personally never did, but i know a lot of youngsters and some older men in the village were only too happy to part take. I was brought up better than that.
These same boys and girls end up dropping out of school, failing terribly and again, the teachers are looked at to be the ones failing the youngsters. Parents can’t have it both ways. Teachers are “Educators” not baby sitters while some parents parade on the streets, in the rum shop and by the neighbour bad talking the next neighbour. Parents believe when their child leaves the home the teacher takes over. Most teachers in Trinidad and Tobago that I know, take the education and welfare of each child to heart. They do their best to teach them the skills they need to succeed in society and moral standards for a dignified life. At some point the student must step up and play their part. When the power is taken from them to truly shape a child or children to enter society as a young adult, these children fall by the way. The young men end up in Gangs, the young ladies end up with a child or two by the age of 19 and the fathers can’t be found.
If parents wants the sole responsibility of disciplining their children, then they should spend less time at the neighbour, rum shop and by the corner smoking and playing card.
Sara! where in waterloo are you frmo?
I can sense that Felix is getting a bit worried and is prepared to start ‘ examining some horns,’ especially that of Sara . One senses that the only Waterloo Sara really can convincingly bable about is located in Berbice Guyana and not really in Trinidad as she falsly claims.
Sara quite while you are ahead , we cannot beileve your story about abusive Hindu Schools in waterloo . It is the lonely Catholic nuns that have constantly reigned terror on our impressionable young people across the nations throughout the years.
That’s exactly what I was aiming at Neal, lol. Because I know that they get lix in Guyana for crossing the rice paddy with shoes as they were supposed to do it bare foot; to preserve their heritage and history.
how can anyone ever support corporal punishment especially in schools. beating is not the answer if you hit a child for bad behaviour it will just stop that behaviour for a little while and then it will start right back again . i personally know of people who have dropped out of school because of the beatings . did that help anyone?????? no. what i totally disagree on is beating for not knowing your homework.come on will beating help a child learn no way. it will just make him be afraid to go to school or just be afraid of the teacher. a child has to put his trust and faith in his teacher .when he is in school his teacher is supposed to be the one he reaches out to . but when he is afraid of that teacher what does he do then??? whom does he go to???/ their are alternatives to beatings . beatings takes away the confidence of a child. a child just cannot work in an environment where he is constantly looking over his shoulder for a teacher to ” give him ah tap” .for those of you who support corporal punishment i advise you to read the GREAT book ” The Kazdin method for parenting the defiant child : with no pills no therapy no contest no will” by Alan E. kazdin . after you have read that book you will change your ideas on corporal punishment.as for felix spelling kat for cat beating will not help . some love , time and patience will. i assure you!
I just have to say that if you spanked a child for bad behaviour and they do it again! You apperently didnt hit them hard enough! Example you tell a child not to touch the stove its hot! Sometimes they will try to see for themselves and when they do they find out why! Now see if the child will EVER do it again? The answer is obvious. However I have observed some children are resistant to pain in those cases the answer is simple……just add a little psycology to the corporal punishment. Some other children are extremely intelligent and the only thing you can use is psycology, but I believe those cases are few and far in between… I grew up in a household where both parents were strict disciplinarians I hated them until I was 16yrs,(the age most teens give the most trouble) by that age I started understanding why my parents were so strict! You go to k-mart and you see a child maybe 5yrs old throwing themselves all over the dirty floors because they wanted a toy! And I see the (American) mother trying to pacify the child with a piece of gum, the child knocks it out of her hand all the while screaming at the top of his lungs causing an unbelievable scene! Now there is a major difference in trying to teach a child good manners and morals when the parents are not good examples, for example my mother didnt drink,smoke,party or anything non-christianlike. except never really telling us she loved us! she never “messed up” like other parents did.
I am so fed up with hearing people use the worst case scenarios to generalize physically punishing children…… just cuz you spank doesnt mean you are Brutalizing them! People that use such words, were obviously calm children themselves. And that is the reason they feel it is unnessecary to hit children. Personally I know that If my parents werent strict I would have turned out to be a monster!
Many times as a child I did things, “Just because I wanted to” and when asked why I did them I allways said “I dont know”. So you see many children “Play innocent” while actually knowing they are doing something wrong. I had plenty of lil american friends that told me how they would do the same things I would do or worse. The only difference is that most Americans live sheltered lives and cant comprehend that everywhere else in the world people are tying to get over on each other. And thats why they dont believe violence is SOMETIMES!! Nesessary….
For example not to long ago an american girl was getting beat up by three other girls on video, and it was all over the news….. But since the girls parents dont believe in violence the girl didnt even have the will or know how to fight back!
Non-violence only produces Victims Not Survivors………
“Non – violence only produces victims not Survivors” oh pleeeeze! EliutM , walk the hell away you will survive .
Yeah walk away while receiving a beat down…….. you must have never been surrounded by five or more people with no one to help you in sight…..yeah WALKING away is going to work!!
Some of the commentators on this site seem to think that corporal punishment is the reason why we are facing such an explosion of crime in this country. When will these “enlightened” scholars take their face away from their psychology textbook and start living in the real world. Why don’t these individuals provide credible alternatives to deal with indiscipline in schools (and I don’t mean talking and reasoning with students or giving them “time out” etc because teachers will tell you that most of the time these methods don’t work). Why don’t these “experts” focus on the real reasons for the crime situation- lack of parental support and love, the examples that are being set by the adults (hypocrites?) in our society etc. I know dozens of individuals who faced corporal punishment at school and yet they did not turn into criminals- in fact they are now productive members of society. I also faced corporal punishment at school and now I am thankful to my teachers for being stern when it was necessary. I am not saying that corporal punishment is the only method to be used to enforce discipline, but it definitely serves as an effective last resort and deterrent. As one father said when referring to to his son “I would spank him now rather than have the police do it later on”.
Has anyone ever noticed that as soon as these “experts” started airing there views and theories, discipline started going down the drain?
question! what does corporal punishment have in common with being bullied. NOTING! eliutM what you are saying is that if you were beaten in school by teachers then you would have stood up to these bullies and taken care of them . (so help me god that is what it sounds like.) in turn getting yourself killed? beating is not the answer , i agree with Richard time out is not the answer also, we need something more for our sweet innocent children. parents and teachers both need to have a greater input into the childrens needs it goes both ways some parents just dont have the time or want to make the time for their children and then some teachers are teaching “just for the money”
Eliut M made one good point- those people against corporal punishment always use the worst case scenario to justify their point of view. It’s as if they can’t tell the difference between discipline and abuse. Corporal punishment has always been used by parents and teachers and yet the world is not filled with criminals. Where is their proof that corporal punishment, when used properly, produces deviant behaviour?
” the world is not filled with criminals” Richard Singh which world are you from??????
Apparently not the same world as you since I know a lot of honest, hardworking and respectable people who would go out of their way to help others. I guess your next comment will be that corporal punishment was the main factor in creating all those criminals you are talking about.
This is too big an issue to try to resolve via a few emotional comments on this forum. Many children the world over and especially in our country sweet T&T, have been forced to comply to numerous gashley acts due to psychological pressures by parents hiding behind cultrual traditions derived from the so called motherland and aimed at control and maintanience of some tenuous economic or social power.
The schools are simply and extention of the home.
Hey Felix and tom cat….my son is innocent, he never got licks, but the kids in that school coming to think of it deserve it, it’s the class of children there are today in schools, violent and evil….I will support corporal punishment after hearing how nasty the std 5 children are in penal government primary school…and I’m sure other schools..at the same time teachers shouldn’t over do it.
I’m not surprised Sara-that you have taken the atypical position as most parents “my son is innocent.” I’m neither suggesting the guilt or innocence of your son, it’s merely a discussion and some insight in line with my own experience as a child of the soil.
If you as a parent stand tall with your child on every curve and blame everyone else but yourself then you’re on your way to becoming a grieving mother in the near future. Our children learn by example and you know the ol’ saying “charity begins at home.” Yes, children are rude and display behaviours that never would’ve been tolerated in the earlier years.
However, we as parents MUST accept some responsibility of the direction our child(ren) take toward the future. In all my years (44) of them, i’ve never seen, heard that corporal punishment in school has killed, injured or disfigured a child as far a teachers go.
As someone who actually taught O and A levels at a few schools before emigrating to Canada where I now teach senior level classes ,I can provide a bit of useful info. as regards the merits and demerits of corporal punishment.
Firstly,in a Trinidadian context the use of corporal punishment when used within boundaries appeared to curb certain behaviours.However when we see teachers whipping tiny elementary school children it merely causes pain and fear.That a child may study harder is premised on their having resources for efficient studying,that they have academic aptitude and can manage whatever the educator considers as correct.Here in Canada I do see the need for stricter discipline but as Canada has made its mark in science and other fields,it seems a bit overdone to demand that corporal punishment be used here.
Instead, Canadian students are provided with greater variety of subjects at different ability levels.For all the shaping corporal punishment seems to be espoused for,it really will not make someone who is poor at chemistry into a budding chemist.Sure you might tow the line but getting hit will not boost your IQ beyond what you can do.Practically,we can say that beatings may end the attitudes by some waywards and get them to achieve their potential whatever level that may be, but I do not see Trinidad pouring out world PhDs and luminaries in relation to the number of those who were given licks.Also as many of us wish to do, we hearken back to the good old days and associate better behaviour in youth with the authority of our schools.I concede that the authority of the teacher in Canada is very low and teachers get pushed around by almost everyone but that can be remedied by political and systemic will.
Corporal punishment when used within boundaries and in moderation seems plausible for asserting the authority of the teacher and curbing negative attitudes against teachers.However in terms of learning,well…when one sees how many students here in Canada, who study quite less than typical Trinidadian students, actually learn because of differentiated teaching techniques alongside a system which manages their skills with proper program levels vs one shot exams,you realize why students here have no issue continuing to develop skills and on-the-job training whether they be in a trade or engineering.If Trinidadian students had the same options many may have that internal change so sorely needed for adulthood,which I think is the purpose of schooling people till they leave Form 5 or 6.
Trinidad must of course continue its strong tradition of upholding teachers in charge and having high academic expectations for all irregardless of the students’ origins.However,teachers need to be relieved of having to prep students of all academic levels for O Level exams that are heavily guaged for the academically proficient or do we really believe that everyone is good at everything? Instead of daily corporal punishment to get a student to move an inch academically,Trinidad’s teachers need to (as is done with term tests) prepare students at their respective school’s ability level to improve via a range of interactive and traditional methods.In fact in Canada the marks earned for University entrance for example come from the exams prepared by the various subject departments per individual school.If due to the limitation of post secondary institutions and a fear of some schools providing easier exams,the Ministry should look into apprenticeship programs as well as less theory based exams for those who can succeed at vocational subjects.Many students here who are difficult in one area are seen as model when they are in other areas including job placements.Truly academic students can be placed into the traditional academic classes but even these tend to need less lecture styled teachers and now have more self-directed learning including research and projects.I feel also that many students from very poor areas if given a class with video and internet clips would be well intrigued and with that comes the teacher’s ally i.e. interest.I do make the assumption that proper Gov’t funding can provide the basics of technology i.e.tv,video,LCD projector.The other assumption is bright and truly dedicated teachers (I understand my fellow Trinidadian educators are well paid and this is good motivation also :)The last assumption is to have teachers be fully supported whether the Principal dislikes the tescher individually or not since the teacher as agent in the classroom must be given morale support in order for s/he to do the best for those students who care.Those who do not care can consider another program option.In this regard Canada is still dreadfully lacking folks.
All in all,corporal punishment will help with some good values that come with hard knocks but it will not propel students into self directed learning for the 21st century.While a strong Trinidadian student will of course go very far with their background of hard study and corporal punishment,it seems that the Canadian student with less study but more program choice,greater interactive assignments,a decent relationship with their teacher and the atmosphere that you keep learning past a final exam,is bearing much more fruit.
Silvan claimed the following:- “I do see Trinidad pouring out world PhD’s and lumuinaries in relation to the number of those who were given licks.” Perhaps if a few more of the ungrateful ones that got their early foundation education in a developing Third World country like Trinidad gives credit where it is due like proud patriotic nationals from other countries do , then we too would hear about them. Nobody from across the globe becomes a Canadian, British, Australian or some other obscure European faster than a Trinidadian, and that a tragedy. Amember from one of these country would live in our country Trinidad for the next 50 years , and one won’t know whether he had left his homeland unless it is expedient / convenient for them to show.
This frevilous,empthy, longwinded bable about IQ’s, corporal punishment ,and comparative educational abilities between students of the global north vis- a- vis the south , is simply that- lots of hot air by another tired prospective job candidate attempting to catch the eye of some gullible local Education department official.
If you want to see excellence , then ensure that opportunities are available at the end of the educational road for young graduates that are joining the employment roll each year.
It is so ludricous to attempt to compare Trinidad with an advanced industrial nation like Canada ,and anyone that tries to impress us in such a crass ,callous ,pretensive manner, should be arrested by one of our sharp Police Special Branch official , have a stamp of the ‘mark of the beast’ placed permanently on their forehead, while their passport is confiscated ,as the government and -of course- the Opposition collectively place a ban on them from their land of birth for life. Good riddiance , I say.
Here’s my response to Neal;your tired angry style of decrying anyone who has emigrated is childish.By the way Trinidadians are not all tired job applicants.You might want to calm down and address in specifics your thesis which is rather convoluted.You sum up my argument with the lowly mentality that my passport should be confiscated etc.Sadly with 550 dead this year,you might be the next.
That said,I actually worked in the secondary system and I see first hand what can be done and what can be actually accomplished having actually taught in Trinidad for six years from north to south.
What exactly is your brilliant response,a vague general sentence or two about employment.Well I was under the impression that this site was discussing corporal punishment and as a former corporal punishment provider,I see how disconnected it is to actual achievement.What do you do except rant at me about my specific suggestions.And then to top it off,you get on some weird rant about banning me from my land of birth.People move internationally while still being involved at other levels with their land of birth.
You also seem to be having emotional issues with the notion of comparing Trinidad with Canada.What exactly is it that your angry self cannot comprehend as to systemic development? How do providing TVs and internet connections equate in your mind with being unattainable when there are non gov’t schools in T&T that possess these already? That you actually make comments as seen in the last paragraph is truly reflective of your IQ and the need for you to beaten daily. Your turn angry boy.
Silvan if you were preceptive you might recognize that I am in the same position like you. I am a concerned citizen that in similar fashion is immune from all the craziness that you abhor that is taking place in our country. I too can spend my time on this board denouncing everything that is local. I can also get sadistic pleasures in blaming one particular group of people for all the social ills that are taking place .
Contrary to what you think I
One word. Love.
I grew up in Trinidad, my parents never beat me, yet I respected them and did not grow up to become a reckless criminal.
Children are people too and just desire the same things as you do. To be listened to, to be understood, to be loved.
If we dedicate some of our ‘precious’ time (remember that WE bring them into the world… they don’t ask to be conceived) to get to know them, they will trust and respect us. We OWE them that much. Our time.
I behaved simply because I didn’t want to hurt my mother’s feelings. She NEVER laid a hand on me. Just loved loved loved and that love prevented me from wanting to step out of line and hurt her…
…and as a child, as human beings, we ALL make mistakes from time to time and whenever I did, the anger came, it went and we talked… TALKED… and everything was alright.
Children WILL do wrong things because they are learning… they are learning from US. Is violence the solution to all problems? Is that what we want to teach our future generations?
That’s what the old slave master taught us. Do your work or take licks.
We’re in 2009 now. Instead of using hard rulers, belts (with metal buckles), your huge adult hands, pot spoons, guava whips and so on and so forth, try using wisdom.
It does take time and beating is faster but think of the character we will be helping our children to build… not a weak person who only behaves because ‘dey ‘fraid licks’ but a thinker, a strong person who is able to CHOOSE doing the right thing over the wrong thing, not because of the fear of the consequences but because of their wisdom.
To the teachers who do not know how to handle children without beating them… sad sad sad. Are you telling me that these so-called ‘educated’ educators are unable to use their ‘wisdom’ to deal with unruly children?
Come on! You can do better than that!