Corporal punishment still has its place in TT education

THE EDITOR: The Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis recently reminded all teachers in the nation’s schools that it is illegal to physically punish students. His comments came just a day after a Penal grandmother recently lodged a complaint that her grandchildren were struck by their teachers in separate incidents for dropping a book on the floor and for going to the washroom without teacher’s permission.

In a recent interview, Francis said the Ministry’s position was quite clear. “The Ministry does not condone corporal punishment and teachers know that it is against the law to hit students.” Francis, who spent most of his years in academic teaching said he never believed in administering corporal punishment.” However, many clear-thinking Trinidadians would agree that a spanking now and again administered by qualified and responsible teachers plays a major role in preventing misconduct. Even the mere threat of physical punishment such as a displayed cane in a principal’s office goes a long way in discouraging disobedient and wayward behaviour. Intimidation has a powerful effect on influencing student behaviour. Corporal punishment offers a strong incentive for motivating students to stay in line and makes them think twice about unruly behaviour.

Corporal punishment does not involve lengthy after-school detentions where you have to write a sentence 500 times or time-consuming, in-school suspensions. Principals, teachers and coaches can administer the punishment within a matter of seconds.

Simon Wright, Chaguanas