Our Readers' Opinions
September 29, 2015

Public flogging: might it be child abuse?

Editor: People, think on this scenario. I went to a school in the suburbs and met a young boy, about 10 or 11 years old, crying his heart out. Why? He did something wrong and was punished by his class teacher, who flogged him with the principal’s permission.{{more}} However, it seems that because the boy’s teacher was a female, a male teacher thinks that the boy was not flogged hard enough. So, he (the male teacher) took it upon himself to flog the child again, only to see the child’s right hand swollen – DOUBLE punishment and physical harm to the child.
 
I personally see this as child abuse. Other children in the boy’s class, including my own daughter, confirmed this matter. What if this had happened to my daughter? I will get MAD for certain. I don’t believe in double punishment for the same offense and worse yet, inflicting physical harm on any child. The Ministry of Education must come forward with a stricter policy on flogging in the schools, one that will protect children against physical abuse and all other forms of abuse.
 
A milder form of child abuse I see too is where some classes are packed like sardines – benches and desks are jammed up to the blackboard. Hardly is there space to move about in such classrooms. Just imagine how teachers and children feel in those classrooms with the extra heat we’ve been getting these days. I am begging the Education Ministry to do something about this harsh situation some of our nation’s children are experiencing. It’s Horrible!

Root Out Child Abuse!!!!!