The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that it does not tolerate corporal punishment in public schools and has upheld counseling as an effective correctional measure.
Corporal punishment in schools was banned in 2022.
That same year, the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme was implemented.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, made the statement in an interview on Monday.
Alli-Balogun emphasized that flogging students for indiscipline and other forms of misbehavior remains prohibited.
He added that the aim is to prevent injuries, fainting, 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 added that minor punishments, such as kneeling, picking up dirt, and cutting grass within the school premises, could also be applied as corrective measures.
“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 attributed most instances of student misbehavior to 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.
