Students to choose punishment

Things have indeed really changed,from when we were young and got caned to now when the new generation has the freedom to choose the type of punishment they want.This can be considered both good and bad considering the quarters you ask.

Students will now be able to negotiate with teachers on the type of punishment they should be given.The Teachers Service Commission says it is working on a new method of discipline.

This is expected to begin in January next year.Headteachers attending the yearly conference at Wild Waters Centre, Mombasa were told.

The commission’s Deputy Director Joan Ngunnzi said doing so would make education more attractive to pupils.

“After headteachers were allowed to administer corporal punishment, there was no smooth transition to determine who would punish the students, leaving the learners at the mercy of cruel teachers,” she said.

Dr Ngunnzi said research had established that violence begets violence. She added the old way of “beating and beating” students only made them hate school and turned them into hardcore criminals.

“The teacher will now negotiate with the student on what type of punishment will be appropriate. This has worked very well in other places,” she said.

The teacher would explain to the student the benefits of being disciplined.

“For example, students will be made to realise that when they come early to school and class, they will have time to complete assignments, rest and interact with teachers and fellow students,” the director said. She said the system was being polished and would be ready in three months though its implementation would start in January.

“It is being developed together with Action Aid under the Beacon Teachers Movement. It has four main components,” she said without elaborating.She also said that teachers countrywide would be trained on the system already in use in five countries.

Reference : www.nation.co.ke