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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. |
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