... positive discipline to blame – SNAT
MBABANE – “Positive discipline cannot work in Africa.”
This was one of the responses from Lot Vilakati, who is the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT). Vilakati gave this response when he was asked about the increase in uncouth behaviour among pupils, particularly that a girl who was allegedly sexually harassed in a class at one of the schools in northern Hhohho.
Vilakati said since positive discipline was introduced in schools, pupils were now misbehaving without fear. In the past, schools used corporal punishment, which meant that it was permissible to whip pupils.
However, many schools are no longer using this, though some have continued to use it.
Vilakati said pupils knew about the SODV Act, but that they were also aware that they could not be punished in schools using corporal punishment. He said during his time as a pupil, corporal punishment was used and that pupils of the time behaved well.
He said positive discipline had its downside because pupils did not view it as a form punishment. Vilakati said positive discipline sometimes involving telling a pupil that he should sit somewhere else or depriving him of certain activities. He said this did not work because it did not have an affect on pupils.
Further, he said pupils could also report you to the authorities for positive discipline. He said this made it difficult for teachers to use it or even corporal punishment.
Vilakati further said it was only schools that were using positive discipline, yet even churches advocated for corporal punishment. “Our culture, and our churches advocate for corporal punishment, yet the schools use positive discipline,” he stated.
Also, he said that a teacher who does not use corporal punishment is not taken seriously by pupils.