Written by Lynne Hambury (South Africa) (Originally published on May 2, 2014)
Trez Hota Nursery is one of many nursery schools in Bahari Beach, Dar es Salaam. Children from the age of just a few months up to 7 years old attend the school. There are three classrooms—one for babies, another for toddlers, and the third for older children between the ages of 5 and 6. Each class has between 8 and 16 children.
At the school’s entrance, a neat array of tiny shoes line the wall—a sight that welcomes guests right away. Once inside, one is greeted with a torrent of little hands, and hugs are freely shared with huge smiles, accompanied by the enthusiastic yell of ‘Teacher!’ These kids are not camera-shy either—they love having their photo taken and then looking at the display screen to laugh at themselves in the photos!
I’m visiting Trez Hota with a volunteer team from Art in Tanzania (AIT), who has come to the school to hold a seminar with the staff about children’s rights within the school system. The topic is sensitive as it includes discussing the replacement of corporal punishment, which is still a general practice (and welcomed by parents) in schools in Tanzania, even though it has been deemed illegal.
Working together with UNICEF Children’s Agenda (CA), AIT’s main focus at this meeting is to introduce the Children’s Agenda and its role in schools to the teachers.
Team leader at AIT Volunteering, Danielle Knipping, who is conducting the seminar (with the assistance of a Swahili translator) in line with The Children’s Agenda’s investment plan, informs the teachers about the critical role they play in a child’s life. They have the opportunity to make a difference in areas such as improving hygiene and sanitation practices in schools, promoting early childhood development, which encompasses social, physical, mental, and emotional aspects, ensuring quality education for all children, and making schools a safe environment.
Through the teaching programs that AIT offers, volunteers have had the opportunity to interact with local teachers and students, identifying the challenges faced within the Tanzanian school system. A significant issue is maintaining class discipline and implementing a non-corporal punishment environment.
At the meeting, Danielle suggests some non-violent methods of disciplining children to the teachers, such as writing their names on the board as a warning, time-out sessions, short after-school detentions, writing lines, and visiting the principal’s office. The teachers are receptive and seem to accept and agree with the suggestions, but there is a hint of uncertainty. Then, one of the younger teachers voices the concern that it is challenging to move away from corporal punishment, as it is a cultural practice, and parents expect them to use this method if all else fails. Physical discipline is practised at home and is also anticipated at school.
This meeting is only the beginning of change. The next step is to meet with the parents so that a consistent method of discipline is practised at home and followed at school.
The staff is eager to be helped. Certain scenarios are presented to Danielle for advice, but only so much can be suggested at this time; another session would be needed to brainstorm different motivational tactics that can be used in the classroom.
The meeting concluded successfully with the volunteers’ idea of creating posters that display rules regarding sanitation and good conduct for the children to follow. It has been decided that additional brainstorming sessions will be held with the teachers to explore creative solutions for producing a safer environment, promoting children’s rights, and encouraging learning and development.
ALL CHILDREN DESERVE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM VIOLENCE.
Michael Sungu (AIT representative for the Children’s Agenda)
There are other means of discipline besides corporal punishment. Even if, sometimes in the heat of the moment, we do not find or do not look for an alternative response, corporal punishment is never the only solution, nor even a viable one. Corporal punishment does not teach right from wrong; it teaches fear and hate. Education and love are constructive ways to teach self-discipline, respect and morality. Children are just young but not stupid – they need reasons, not violence, to become aware when they misbehave. Let’s raise conscious children, not those living in fear and acting out of it. Please, don’t teach children by hitting them! That won’t do any good. Understand them and talk to them. We should teach children how we expect them to behave when they reach adulthood. It is well known that children who grow up in violent home environments are prone to resort to violence when trying to deal with their problems. Invest in making schools safe; that’s what today’s wise societies are cultivating. No child should suffer physical punishment from anybody.
