Teachers need some way to discipline unruly pupils

VIOLENCE against children, and specifically corporal punishment in schools, needs several critical conversations to take place.

The Department of Education has correctly banned corporal punishment in schools through the enactment of different legislation, like the SA Schools Act of 1996. Although there is considerable progress made in stopping the practice of using the stick to discipline students, unfortunately, corporal punishment is still widely used in schools, despite being outlawed.

However, while it is vital to point out that all the praiseworthy and much-needed policies and procedures to support educational transformation are commendable, legislators must take into consideration today’s behavioural problems, social ills and non-compliance with school rules.

Undoubtedly, for effective learning and teaching to take place in schools, rules are needed, and punishment is also needed for those who break the rules and disrupt school activities. Agreed, the type of sanction the school may impose must be determined and regulated by law. However, I believe legislation is also needed for absent parent syndrome and unruly conduct.

According to research, some teachers claim that ill discipline at schools, and constantly having to deal with pupils engaging in disruptive behaviour, has taken away their passion and joy for teaching, resulting in low morale and a high dropout rate among teachers.

Together with corporal punishment, there are much deeper issues affecting learning and teaching in South African schools that need attention.

BANNED: The lack of discipline in schools has made teaching a much more difficult job.