Perceptions of teachers and pupils on corporal punishment

The study investigated the views of 52 teachers and 89 pupils on how corporal punishment affects learning in three school types in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. Two questionnaires, one for teachers and the other for pupils were used to collect data. Results indicate that corporal punishment is still very prevalent in schools regardless of type.However significant differences(Fischer's Exact test p=0,002) were noted in reports from the former group A school(93,9%) and private school(55,6%). The administration of corporal punishment was reported to be more in the group A school. The difference was not significant between the group B and the private school. There were significant differences in teacher/pupil perceptions with regards to corporal punishment and learning(chi-square=0,16,df=1,p=0,692).

Autorentext

Gwendoline N.K Shoniwa holds an Msc degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a BA from the University of Zambia.She has worked as a university lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University in the department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences. She has also worked as a teacher and a researcher in the department of Schools Psychological Services.