Corpun file 13139

Manila Bulletin, 23 February 2004

Visayas

Corporal punishment banned

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) The Department of Education (DepEd) here [presumably covering the province of Negros Oriental, of which Dumaguete City is the capital -- C.F.] has banned corporal punishment and other severe forms of punishment on pupils and students. The DepEd issued a division memorandum to all school officials and teachers prohibiting corporal punishment after receiving numerous reports of students and pupils being subjected to such penalty. Some of the incidents have been reported by the media. A few have been the subject of administrative complaints.

Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Aleli Abne said that while the behavior of some children may be particularly trying to ones patience, teachers are expected to look into the possible cause or causes of their misbehavior and to act accordingly. She said teachers should consider conferring with parents of misbehaving children as first recourse rather than a first remedy.

"In no way should teachers own personal problems, emotional outbursts or psychological baggage affect their mode of disciplining their pupils," Abne said.

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