15-Year-Old Girl allegedly received 16 Lashes leading to inability to Sit Down

A 15-year-old girl (name held), in JHS form three has allegedly been lashed by her teacher resulting in her inability to sit down in Half Assini in the Western Region. It is also alleged that the teacher in question may have interest in the school girl and that may have been the background to the lashing in the school.

Francis Bronya, the father of the victim says he rushed his daughter to the hospital and later reported the case to the police upon advise from the Doctor in the Half Assini Government Hospital. He was given a medical form which was signed by the Doctor. The girl is currently being treated after reporting to the hospital.

The police invited the teacher and is yet to be arraigned before court a week after the incident.

-Opinion: Is The Caning Best Way to Discipline Students Who Go Wayward?

The Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service have jointly opposed the use of corporal punishment as a corrective mechanism in our public and private basic schools.

So, over the years, there have been controversies and debates in our country surrounding the use of canes on students in schools. While some believe that canning is the best way to discipline students who go wayward, others believe that caning does not in any way help discipline a child hence a need for its abolishment.

-Should Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service Adopt the Ivorian’s Method?

I personally was a student in Ivory Coast precisely Abidjan. To succeed in Ivory Coast as a student, one must be very competitive and disciplined in all spheres. Just like Ghana, Ivory Coast officially banned all forms of corporal punishment of students in schools as part of the efforts aimed at promoting a safe and protective learning environment for students at the JHS-SHS level, meaning that students are mature enough and can be responsible for their own bad bahaviour.

However, strict measures have been put in place to ensure that students comply and conform with the school rules and regulations. Most Schools in French countries have system which keep track of every student’s life record. At the beginning of every academic year, each student is given “16 points” which it’s called “behavior, conduct or discipline point”.

A student gets a deduction if he or she repeats any form of misconduct for three times or less. For instance: sleeping, lateness to school and fighting in school attract one-point deduction each. But, disrespect to teachers or other school authorities can attract more than “2 points” deduction.

Parents of a student whose points have been deducted less than “10 points” get informed at the spot since below “8 points” the student might repeat his class. A student who reaches “Zero points” is then expelled from the school no matter how intelligent that student is. Both Learners and their parents or guardians know the consequences of expulsion. I am a product of that discipline.

If caning was the solution to indiscipline in school, like by now students should still not be seen engaging in bad behaviors. However, that is not the case. Despite the rate at which students are caned, indiscipline is still on the rise.

Some students still go ahead to engage in wayward behaviors with their mind already prepared for the cane they will receive. It is just like saying “after all it’s just caning”. As a matter of fact, some students are so used to the cane that it is no longer causes them fear.

Finally, with this strategy adopted by French countries with deduction of points on “conduct or behavior” works on students even though not 100%. Ghanaians teachers would be happy to welcome this strategy as indiscipline has overwhelmed our educational system to the extent that students hide behind social media to insult leaders.

This article has already been sent directly to the “Ministry of Education” and “Ghana Education Service”.

Source:  frencheducationgh.com