Breaking News: Lagos State Government Reaffirms Ban on Corporal Punishment in Public Schools

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its stance against corporal punishment in public schools, emphasizing counseling as the preferred method for student discipline.

The state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

He stressed that flogging and other forms of corporal punishment remain strictly prohibited in all public schools across the state.

According to Alli-Balogun, the decision aims to prevent potential harm to students, including injuries, fainting spells, or even fatalities resulting from excessive punishment by teachers.

“Flogging is not the best way to correct a student. Lagos State, like other parts of the country, has a policy that prohibits teachers from administering corporal punishment.
Instead, we have adopted counseling as a corrective measure,” he stated.

While emphasizing counseling as the primary corrective tool, the commissioner noted that minor disciplinary actions such as kneeling, picking up litter, or cutting grass within school premises may still be employed.

“This approach aligns with positive reinforcement, a powerful tool for shaping behavior and achieving desired outcomes. The goal is to help students understand why they must avoid misconduct,” he explained.

He further attributed many cases of student misbehavior to poor parental guidance, urging parents to take greater responsibility in shaping their children’s behavior.

“Parents must wake up to their responsibilities and dedicate time to their children.

As a government, we remain committed to eradicating indiscipline and fostering a conducive learning environment for all students,” he added.

The Lagos State Government initially banned corporal punishment in 2022 when it introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in schools to promote safer and more student-friendly disciplinary methods.