Lagos State Reaffirms Ban on Corporal Punishment in Schools, Advocates Counselling

Lagos Government Stands Firm Against Flogging in Schools

The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated its commitment to prohibiting corporal punishment in public schools. Instead, counselling has been upheld as a more effective disciplinary measure.

In a statement issued on Monday, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, emphasized that flogging students remains strictly banned. He highlighted concerns over potential harm, including cases where students have fainted or suffered severe injuries due to physical punishment. The government, he said, is keen on ensuring that no student loses their life due to excessive disciplinary actions taken by teachers.

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Counselling as a Tool for Student Discipline

Alli-Balogun stressed that flogging is not the best approach to instilling discipline among students. He pointed out that there are existing policies in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria that explicitly prohibit teachers from using corporal punishment.

“Against flogging of students, we have adopted counselling as a measure of correction,” he stated.

While advocating for non-violent methods, the commissioner noted that minor disciplinary actions such as kneeling, picking up litter, and cutting grass within the school premises could still be applied. These measures, he explained, fall under positive reinforcement strategies that help shape student behavior without inflicting harm.

“The idea is to make the student understand why they should not misbehave. The counselling is primarily corrective,” he added.

Parental Responsibility and Government Commitment

Alli-Balogun attributed much of the indiscipline observed in students to poor parental upbringing. He urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s moral and behavioral development.

“Parents must wake up to their responsibilities and have time for their children,” he said.

The commissioner further assured that the Lagos State Government remains committed to maintaining discipline while fostering a safe and conducive learning environment for students. He noted that since implementing these policies, there has been a significant improvement in student discipline across the state.

The ban on corporal punishment in Lagos schools was officially enacted in 2022. That same year, the government introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme, aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of students in the learning environment.

With this firm stance, Lagos continues to set an example in modernizing school discipline policies while prioritizing student welfare.