Corporal Punishment is no longer allowed as it is against the law. However it continues in because many caregivers and educators feel they have no alternatives.

Do you know what Corporal Punishment is?

This is when physical punishment is handed down to someone from a teacher or parent. For example it is when you’re smacked or hit as a form of punishment.

Is Corporal Punishment allowed?

According to our law, corporal punishment in schools is not allowed. However, getting a smack at home is not against the law (although steps are being taken to stop this too). This does not mean that your parents are allowed to hit you senseless and get away with it. If your parents did continuously hit you as a form of punishment, it would be considered abusive.

Are you punished by your caregivers or disciplined?

There is a difference between punishing a child and disciplining them. Punishment is based on the belief that if children are made to suffer for doing something wrong, they will not do it again. For example, a hard smack on the buttocks.

Disciplining a child involves them taking responsibility for what they have done, helping them make amends for this when this is possible, and thereby making them learn that the behaviour is unacceptable. For example, taking away the privilege of television for a day.