Feelings of Parents on the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools in Zimbabwe

This is part of a broad study that sought to find out views of parents in Zimbabwe on the use of corporal punishment by teachers in schools. This paper looks at other intervention strategies that can be used to discipline pupils instead of corporal punishment in view of the implementation of the policy that bars the use of corporal punishment in schools. The study used case study as a research design. The study used questionnaires in the collection of data. The research participants consisted of two hundred and fifty parents who were randomly selected when they were attending a consultation days at schools in Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe. The study found out that teachers were still using corporal punishment in classes as way of enforcing discipline and making sure pupils abide by accepted behaviour. The study found out that guidance and counselling was effective in controlling the behaviour of children with untoward behaviour. Teachers could also withdraw some benefits the children usually have and engage in time out. Teachers could also reinforce all good behaviour by use of awards and giving public comments of good behaviours. Teachers could also keep the children busy as much as possible so that they do not have time to misbehave. The study recommends that the government makes an effort to educate citizens on new policies that will have been made so that they are fully implemented. There is need for teachers to fully implement government policies. Teachers are also urged to use child friendly methods of making children change unbecoming behaviour to socially accepted behaviours. The study recommends that teachers use methods like guidance and counselling, modelling and positive reinforcement in effecting discipline and behaviour change in pupils.