PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS CONCERNING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN NORTH-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Corporal Punishment (CP) is one of the ways of disciplining students when they misbehave in many Nigerian schools. However, its application could lead to adverse physical consequences in students. In Nigeria, there are few documented studies relating to the perception and attitude of parents, teachers and students concerning CP in Secondary Schools (SS). This study was aimed therefore at assessing perception and attitude of parents, teachers and students towards CP in SS within Ibadan North-East Local Government Area (IBNELGA).

This cross-sectional survey with a 3-stage sampling technique was used to select IBNELGA, eleven public and eight private SS and 344 teachers. A similar 3-stage sampling was also used to select IBNELGA, six wards and 215 consenting parents. Ten Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (two each in public and private different SS among consenting teachers, three each among consenting public and private SS students) were conducted. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire for teachers and parents respectively. The instrument included a 22-point perception and an 18-point attitudinal scales developed from WHO and UNICEF standards on CP with a score of <11 as wrong and >11 as right perception while a score of <9 as positive and >9 as negative attitude. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach while descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyse the quantitative data at 5% level of significance.

Mean ages of teachers and parents were 38.1+8.1 and 40.6+7.2 years respectively. Mean years of service was 11.0+7.2 for teachers. There were more male respondents (58.4%) for teachers and more female respondents (69.8%) for parents. Major forms of CP identified included flogging 84.7% by parents and teachers 83.7% with kneeling down 82.3% by parents and teachers 67.4%. Majority of the teachers (79.4%) and parents (78.6%) wrongly perceived that CP was the best way to discipline students. Majority of the teachers (73.8%) and parents (61.9%) had positive attitude towards use of CP. Perceived dangers associated with CP included physical injury 72.6% for parents and teachers 78.2% and emotional distress 72.6% for parents and teachers 67.7%. Alternatives to CP suggested by parents included conversing with the students (17.7%), counseling (14.9%), while teachers’ suggestions include counseling (25.0%) and giving academic assignments (18.3%). Significantly, private schools teachers were more inclined towards kneeling down (74.2%) than public schools (63.4%). Male parents were more likely to support CP than female (OR=3.02, CI=1.41-6.47). The FGD participants (teachers) unanimously agreed that CP should be administered in schools but with caution. However, students collectively preferred to be corrected without CP.

Despite perceived dangers associated with corporal punishment, majority of the respondents were still in support of its use in schools. Therefore, it is suggested that corporal punishment should be used in non-injurious ways such as isolation from peers, encouragement, counseling, coaching, monitoring, dialogues or withdrawal of privileges to promote discipline in students.