Education Minister Questions Ban On Corporal Punishment In Schools
Source: Education Minister Questions Ban On Corporal Punishment In Schools ⋆ Pindula News Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said the government’s decision to ban corporal punishment in schools may have been misguided. Moyo’s remarks follow concerns that teachers feel powerless when it comes to maintaining discipline in schools, with some primary school […]
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said the government’s decision to ban corporal punishment in schools may have been misguided.
Moyo’s remarks follow concerns that teachers feel powerless when it comes to maintaining discipline in schools, with some primary school students reportedly bullying their teachers under the guise of asserting their rights.
In response to a trade unionist calling for the reinstatement of corporal punishment, Moyo acknowledged that the classroom environment has become challenging, with teachers lacking the authority necessary to enforce discipline effectively. Wrote Moyo:
“I truly wonder if we haven’t erred too far in the name of progress. The classroom, once a place of order and respect, has become a battleground where teachers our frontline Educators are stripped of the authority to instill discipline.
“We are witnessing a troubling shift a Grade 7 learner now dares to bully a Teacher, invoking ‘rights’ without understanding responsibility.
“Let us be honest. The erosion of discipline in our schools is not just an Educational issue it is a societal one.
“Broken families, Economic Hardship, and the loss of communal values have left many children without guidance.
“The Teacher, once supported by the Community, now stands alone.”
Moyo clarified that he is not advocating for violence but believes authorities should reconsider the methods that once contributed to shaping responsible citizens. He added:
“A ‘stick in time saves nine,’ as our elders say. This is not about punishment. It is about correction, about restoring balance.
“Many of our Traditional Leaders and fellow Lawmakers have echoed this call. We must explore a legal framework that allows for Firm, Fair Discipline without abuse.
“Let us not allow misguided interpretations of rights to dismantle the very foundation of learning. Discipline is not Oppression it is preparation for life.
“And if we do not act now, we risk raising a generation that respects neither Authority nor Consequence.”
A High Court ruling in 2017 declared corporal punishment of children, both in schools and at home, unconstitutional, citing the Constitution’s protection against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The Education Amendment Act (2020) aligned the law more closely with the High Court’s ruling. It explicitly prohibits teachers from using corporal punishment on students and affirms that children must not be subjected to any form of physical or psychological torture, or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment while at school.
Despite the legal prohibition, reports indicate that corporal punishment has not been entirely eradicated, as cultural and traditional attitudes toward discipline sometimes conflict with the law.
