Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its stance against corporal punishment in public schools, upholding counseling as an effective corrective measure for student misbehavior.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Lagos Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, reiterated that flogging students remains prohibited.
He emphasized that corporal punishment could lead to serious consequences, including physical injury or even death.
“There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment to students/pupils,” Alli-Balogun said. “We have adopted counseling as a measure of correction.”
While counseling is the primary tool for behavior correction, minor punishments like kneeling or cleaning the school premises may also be used.
These strategies are part of the state’s effort to promote positive reinforcement, aimed at encouraging the desired outcomes and shaping behavior in students.
He further pointed out that many cases of student misbehavior stem from inadequate parental involvement. “Parents must wake up to their responsibilities and have time for their children,” he urged.
Since the Lagos State Government banned corporal punishment in schools in 2022, it has also rolled out the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.