Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Head-Teachers and Teachers Towards Corporal Punishment in Selected Schools in Uganda.

ABSTRACT This study sought to investigate the perceptions of primary and secondary school head-teachers and teachers towards corporal punishment in Ugand&s schools. The dependent variable in this study was “perceptions of head-teachers and teachers towards corporal punishment in schools” while independent variable was “primary and secondary schools.” The extraneous variables were various school-types characterized by differences in age and gender of learners as well as religious foundation of schools. The study objectives were: establishing the number of primary and secondary school head-teachers and teachers supporting or opposing banning of corporal punishment in schools and the percentage they represent from the study population; identifying reasons why some educators support or oppose the use of corporal punishment in schools. The study was carried out using the descriptive survey method in forty-five schools and the respondents were forty-five head-teachers and 483 teachers. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and interview-guides. The major findings of the study were that 42.5% of head-teachers supported the banning of corporal punishment in schools while 57.5°k opposed the ban. 45.4% of teachers supported banning corporal punishment while 56.4% opposed the ban. The reasons for opposing corporal punishment given by the respondents were: corporal punishment is painful and can cause injury to students, the punishment can cause students to hate school and the teacher who corporally punishes them -among other reasons. The ban on corporal punishment was opposed because most students respond faster when a cane is used, yet the punishment is quick and time-saving among other reasons. In conclusion, most educators in Uganda oppose the banning of corporal punishment in schools. The Ministry of Education and Sports therefore either be more strict in enforcing the ban on corporal punishment through increased sensitization campaigns or set a policy that controls and limits the use of corporal punishment in schools. Policy - VII makes In the MinIstry of Education should also first consult relevant stakeholders and carryout research before polides are set