THE IMPACT OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ON STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED BOYS SCHOOLS IN DISTRICT MULTAN

Abstract

The study was conducted on investigating the impacts of corporal punishment with major emphasis on its nature, kinds and effects on students, including social, academic, educational, psychological, legal and medical aspects. To ascertain the effects of corporal punishment, the participants of the study comprising students, teachers and parents were interviewed through questionnaire and interview schedule. Major objectives of the study were to investigate into the nature, kinds and motives of physical punishment against students in sampled district; to identify multidimensional effects of corporal punishment on the students from educational and academic perspectives to social, academic, educational, psychological, legal and medical aspects.; to investigate the teachers and parents' viewpoint on corporal punishment of students at schools and to seek the opinion of the victimized students on use of corporal punishment. The total sample size from students, teachers and parents was 607. The data was analyzed at both uni-variate and bi-variate level while calculating frequency, percentage and Chi - square test respectively. It was found that corporal punishment remained a hurdle in developing good teacher - student relationship; it led to destroying students’ character building; increased dropout rate; discouraged the learning environment; created hatred for teachers; impaired interest in study; and compelled students to leave school before the day ended. Moreover, it was observed that corporal punishment became the major cause for creating aggressive attitudes and quarrelsome behaviors among the students; it badly affected children’ morality; it led children to use alcohol and other drugs; made them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Academic achievements got lowered in their respective examinations in the view of constant absenteeism from school. Furthermore, corporal punishment depressed students’ feeling of sympathy. Students started backbiting of their teachers and even used filthy language. Some of the students got nervous and they developed feeling of suicide. Corporal punishment promoted psychological trauma due to which students lost their confidence. The study recommends the abolition of corporal punishment which will ensure decrease in the dropout rate, create better learning environment, and consequently develop good relation between teachers and students. The study further suggests the implementation of relevant law regarding banishment on corporal punishment in letter and spirit. Teachers should be made aware about the negative results of corporal punishment through diverse nature of training programs as well as contents of the bill regarding ban on corporal punishment.