‘Caning has no long-term psychological effects’ By Peter Boon
Caning aimed at educating and guiding students: Ghani
SIBU: Caning students in schools will not have any psychological effects on them in the long run, said Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president William Ghani Bina yesterday.
“This is because it is aimed at educating them and guiding them to the proper path. We cane students because we want them to learn the right things, and not all cases warrant caning to begin with.
“The crux of the matter is that caning is not meant to punish. Therefore, it is important for us to look at it in a more holistic manner,” Ghani told.
The Borneo Post when asked for his views on recent comments made by Samariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman that caning can be re-introduced as punishment in cases of extreme disciplinary problems in school.
“Before caning, we ask students what wrong they have done to deserve the punishment. For the benefit of the doubt, we want to hear their side of the story.
“Conversely, caning them straightway without communicating with them will not do them
much good. After all, the whole purpose of meting out the punishment is to give them direction rather than to punish.
“You don’t cane your children and ask them questions later, do you?” he asked.
Ghani said in more serious cases, students would be asked to go for counselling after being caned to make sure that they understand why they were punished and to deter them from repeating the mistakes.
Speaking from years of experience in the teaching profession, he said it is important to give the young as much guidance as possible to allow them to get a proper headstart in life.
He believes that counselling is important to provide students with the necessary mental conditioning to stay away from negative influences or bad peer pressure.
He, however, said that in some cases, there is no better alternative to caning students to reinforce their education.
How many times can caning be done, and how often? Ghani said it should be limited to only three times a day.
“And only authorised persons can administer it. These are principals or headmasters. Disciplinary teachers may do it too but with written approval from principals or headmasters,” he said, adding that the approval is normally given on a year-to-year basis.
He pointed out that the blow is on the palm of the hand only. If it is on the buttocks, the student must have his or her uniform on.
Contrary to what many people believe, caning, in fact, is already in place in school, and according to Ghani its use depends on the severity of wrongdoings.
Additionally, some offenders might require counselling while others could be suspended from school.
In more serious cases, the offender might even be expelled.
Turning to the parents, Ghani said they have crucial roles in the education of their children and leading or guiding them to the correct path in life.
As such, he urged parents to cooperate and be forthcoming when asked to meet school authorities to deal with matters related to their children’s discipline.
“This is for the benefit of all parties involved particularly their children.
“We hope to update parents on their children’s performance and behavioural patterns,” he stressed.
Yesterday, Samariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman was reported to have said that caning-in-education was effective in the past and that if it was carried out properly it could still be an effective disciplinary tool today.
Caning aimed at educating and guiding students: Ghani
SIBU: Caning students in schools will not have any psychological effects on them in the long run, said Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president William Ghani Bina yesterday.
“This is because it is aimed at educating them and guiding them to the proper path. We cane students because we want them to learn the right things, and not all cases warrant caning to begin with.
“The crux of the matter is that caning is not meant to punish. Therefore, it is important for us to look at it in a more holistic manner,” Ghani told.
The Borneo Post when asked for his views on recent comments made by Samariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman that caning can be re-introduced as punishment in cases of extreme disciplinary problems in school.
“Before caning, we ask students what wrong they have done to deserve the punishment. For the benefit of the doubt, we want to hear their side of the story.
“Conversely, caning them straightway without communicating with them will not do them
much good. After all, the whole purpose of meting out the punishment is to give them direction rather than to punish.
“You don’t cane your children and ask them questions later, do you?” he asked.
Ghani said in more serious cases, students would be asked to go for counselling after being caned to make sure that they understand why they were punished and to deter them from repeating the mistakes.
Speaking from years of experience in the teaching profession, he said it is important to give the young as much guidance as possible to allow them to get a proper headstart in life.
He believes that counselling is important to provide students with the necessary mental conditioning to stay away from negative influences or bad peer pressure.
He, however, said that in some cases, there is no better alternative to caning students to reinforce their education.
How many times can caning be done, and how often? Ghani said it should be limited to only three times a day.
“And only authorised persons can administer it. These are principals or headmasters. Disciplinary teachers may do it too but with written approval from principals or headmasters,” he said, adding that the approval is normally given on a year-to-year basis.
He pointed out that the blow is on the palm of the hand only. If it is on the buttocks, the student must have his or her uniform on.
Contrary to what many people believe, caning, in fact, is already in place in school, and according to Ghani its use depends on the severity of wrongdoings.
Additionally, some offenders might require counselling while others could be suspended from school.
In more serious cases, the offender might even be expelled.
Turning to the parents, Ghani said they have crucial roles in the education of their children and leading or guiding them to the correct path in life.
As such, he urged parents to cooperate and be forthcoming when asked to meet school authorities to deal with matters related to their children’s discipline.
“This is for the benefit of all parties involved particularly their children.
“We hope to update parents on their children’s performance and behavioural patterns,” he stressed.
Yesterday, Samariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman was reported to have said that caning-in-education was effective in the past and that if it was carried out properly it could still be an effective disciplinary tool today.
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