The persisting use of corporal punishment for learner discipline and classroom management : a case study of a rural school context of Bahlaloga Circuit, Capricorn North District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Maintaining discipline and classroom management enhances the quality of teaching and learning in the school and outside, as learners grow up to be socially and economically competent individuals. Educators use different disciplinary measures to curb bad learner behaviour in schools, however, some resort to corporal punishment. Corporal punishment in South Africa is considered and deemed unlawful and educators still use it for discipline and classroom management. Educators find it hard to maintain discipline with the current alternative disciplinary measures, thus they use corporal punishment which ultimately brings more harm than good. As a result, educators get implicated by being suspended, fired, and convicted and unfortunately some get fined or blackmailed by some families. In addition, learners also experience negative outcomes due to being subjected to corporal punishment, such as injuries, dropping out and worsening of bad behaviour. With that being said, the aim of the study is to alert educators about corporal punishment being a corporal offense and find ways to better discipline learners and also highlight the ineffectiveness of the currently proposed disciplinary measures in schools. The researcher used a descriptive qualitative research design, and collected data through purposive sampling comprising of 12 educators and amongst them are 10 CS1 educators and 2 SMT members, and through interviews, the researcher gathered qualitative data and used thematic analysis to analyse the responses of the interviewees. The results revealed that some educators across the grades share the reasons for using corporal punishment while others adhere to the law and directive of banning corporal punishment. Some are not aware of the implications related to using corporal punishment while others have no other option but to use it, it can be considered as proof that corporal punishment is use under different justifications. The study further recommends that educators should use the proposed disciplinary measures for their protection and respect of children’s human rights. Moreover, the law enforcement agents should collaborate with educators to draft new possible and applicable disciplinary measures, more especially immediate intervention measures. Also, educators and the government should be familiar with indigenous African ways of discipline and instil them in learners at an early age.