Education

CANING AS A SOLUTION By : Luqman Rohaizat (5 Omega 2009) At first thought, caning may seem like an inhumane punishment for students, who are not yet fully matured in their thinking, and are still learning along the way. “It just hurts them, physically and emotionally, without doing anything else” I hear concerned parents say. But then again, is there a more effective way to punish and control students? Moreover, nowadays there seems to be a noticeable rise in disciplinary problems involving students in schools nationwide. We need to find an explanation for this rise in disciplinary problems, in order to find the ideal solution for the problem. By my knowledge, we can clearly relate the rise in disciplinary problems with the withdrawal of caning, or any sort of physically inflicted pain, as a punishment for students. What I mean is, when students don’t get punished, they will get into more trouble in the future. Based on this, I fully agree that caning is an effective way to punish students. This is where caning can be part of the solution. Please, let me explain. Students get into trouble because it is their nature to make lots of mistakes and learn through them. Yes, they learn new and important things in life through mistakes. It is okay to make one or two mistakes once in a while, but when a student gets into trouble, or keeps repeating the same mistakes one too many times, this indicates a problem. Maybe the student does not realize that he is causing trouble, or hurting other people. For all we know he might even be enjoying causing trouble. If this student is not punished, he is certain to do more harm again, and this is not good for everybody. As a solution, caning will make the student realize that what he is doing is wrong, and that he should never make this mistake again. As you can see, caning becomes part of the long-term solution to shape a student’s thinking pattern, for the benefit of himself. Another thing to consider is that because of the withdrawal of caning as a punishment for students, our students’ respect for their teachers and their school has dwindled. Respect is an important virtue for every student, and if the student does not develop the value of respect within himself, he will never succeed in life. Nowadays, students are becoming more and more outrageous, with cases ranging from stealing and smoking to doing drugs, or even sexual crimes. It seems that this younger generation has lost respect and fear of their teachers, parents, and has no sort of shame at all for that matter. The only way to instill fear and respect in these students for their teachers is by giving teachers the responsibility of caning troubled students. Through caning, these students will learn the consequences of their crimes

and avoid negative behavior. Hurting the students a little bit is for their own good, and is a low price to pay compared to a jeopardized future. Nonetheless, caning is an effective tool to improve students’ discipline, if and only if it is done the right way, taking the necessary precautions and steps. Caning will not achieve the desired results, if done without thought and order. Teacher cannot cane students just because they feel like doing so. What is the benefit in that? In my opinion, only certain teachers should uphold the responsibility of caning students. It would be best if the responsibility is given to the disciplinary teachers of the school. It is in their field to punish students, and disciplinary teachers are the best people for the job. If a student gets into serious trouble, he or she would be sent to the disciplinary teacher’s office, for a session of caning. May I add that even though students are fully matured in their thinking and behaviour, they are still fully able to think rationally. Thus, teachers must deal with students in a professional manner, and not treat them like little children. They should be told the troubles they have caused, and why they deserve to be caned for them. We should make the student understand the punishment they have received, so they will not repeat it. Public caning, especially during assemblies, is strictly prohibited, as humiliation will not do any good to students. Caning can be a solution, if done correctly and with reason. In short, I think that caning should be fully allowed in schools, with the necessary precautions applied, for the benefit of everybody. Caning, as a punishment, is effective, keeps troubles away, and is for the students’ long term benefit. Besides, getting the cane once or twice never hurt our parents. You’ll feel like a hero, stepping out of the Discipline teacher’s office.

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