According to the Lagos State Government, counselling has been recognised as an effective corrective measure and corporal punishment is still not permitted in public schools.
This was revealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday by Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the state commissioner for basic and secondary education.
Flogging students for lack of discipline and other forms of misbehaviour is still illegal, according to Alli-Balogun.
He said that the aim was to guard against inflicting injury on students, the fainting of students, or even the death of any student due to flogging by a class teacher.
According to him, flogging is not the best way to correct a student.
“There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment to students/pupils.
“Against flogging of students, we have adopted counselling as a measure of correction,” he said.
He also mentioned that minor punishments like kneeling, picking up dirt, and cutting grasses on school property could be used.
“This is part of our positive reinforcement; it is a powerful tool for shaping behaviour and encouraging desired outcomes.
“The idea is to bring to the student’s knowledge, reasons he/she must not misbehave.
“The counselling is basically to correct.”
He blamed most misbehaviour by students on poor parental upbringing.
“Parents must wake up to their responsibilities and have time for their children.
“As a government, we will continue to do our best to eradicate indiscipline and make the learning environment friendly for all,” he added.
It was reported by the commissioner that student discipline had improved.
The Lagos State Government banned corporal punishment in 2022.
It implemented the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in school that year.
(NAN)
