THE EDITOR, Madam:
I HAVE been reading over the past month with amazement, that there is indeed corporal punishment still been administered in schools, and even a debate on whether it should be discontinued.
As one who taught school before I migrated, I would encourage the government to immediately abandon this barbaric practice. How can "educators" still believe in a system that we already banned for criminals (cat o'nine ), for children.
As a child growing up I witnessed how teachers would strike some children harder than others, how teachers would not hit Mr "So & So"'s children. I witnessed how children of certain, colour, race and economic status would not be subjected to this humiliating punishment.
Teachers are human beings, that bring with them into the classrooms their personal baggage, hence beating their own frustration out of these innocent children. It is no wonder that the nation is having a problem with lawlessnes, because as children we are been taught that to settle disputes and conflicts, violence is the best way to go.
Yes parenting needs improvement, this is what the school community should strive to improve, make the PTAs, youth clubs etc. become partners with school administrators to devise strategies to better discipline our children.
We have to go back to our Ancestors' Village mentality. Yes indeed, it takes a village to raise a child.
I am etc.,
PATRICK A BECKFORD
E-mail:
pbeckf01@yahoo.com
Branchburg, New Jersey, USA
Via Go-Jamaica
