Practice and Politics of Corporal Punishment in Schools: A Case Study of District Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

The practice of corporal punishment against children is a common phenomenon around the world. This study examined the phenomenon of corporal punishment in schools of Peshawar, Pakistan as very minimum research has been carried out on this issue in Pakistan. Previous studies proved that the practice of corporal punishment is associated with numerous negative impacts on children whilst others indicate positive impacts. The present study addressed a range of dimensions from physical to psychological and from sociological to religious doctrine, which are linked with the phenomenon of corporal punishment.

The research was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic in Pakistan, the selected methodology was qualitative, adopting a purposive sampling technique for participant selection. A sample of fifty interviewees was achieved; ten each of teachers, parents, child psychologists, religious scholars and non government organization workers. Data was collected through in-depth interviews using an interview guide. To enhance validity and reliability data was triangulated with field notes and analysis of relevant policy documents and the research literature. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and data anonymity and confidentiality was ensured.

Applied discourse analysis of interview data found that participants were supportive of the practice of corporal punishment in some cases. Cultural acceptability, personal experience in the past, achieving academic goals, lack of awareness, illiteracy, religious factors, anger, work stress, school environment, teacher’s frustration and teachers lack of understanding of child behaviour are some of the main causes of corporal punishment practice. Negative impacts of corporal punishment on children were also recognized by respondents. These included; an increase in anti-social behaviour and aggression, escalation to physical abuse, spoiled creativity, lack of courage, anxiety, depression, frustration, poor academic achievement, criminal tendencies, promoting a culture of violence and drop out from school. Conversely, some participants consider corporal punishment beneficial for adult respect, obedience and the achievement of academic goals.

The study provides research based policy recommendations for abolishing corporal punishment from schools including; educational system reform, mass awareness, teacher training programmes, promoting alternative methods for behaviour modification to teachers and parents, strengthening of parents-teachers council, dealing with teachers own frustration, following the real meaning of Islamic teaching, effective legislation and implementation, opening up complaint mechanisms, effective monitoring, evaluation and accountability, prioritizing child rights, enhancing government interest in child education, advocacy seminars on child rights, promoting a culture of rewards and appreciation in schools and appointing Social Worker’s and Child Psychologists to support the strategy. This combination of measures will be helpful in dealing with the practice of corporal punishment in schools of Pakistan.