The Monitor, Kampala, 4 November 1996

Caning is best 'medicine' for pupils - parents

By David Z. Muwanga in Mbale

Parents of students at Buhungu Primary School in Mbale at a PTA meeting last month overwhelmingly backed caning of their children at school as a policy to enforce discipline and effective learning.

"Though government policy is openly against child beating, headmasters in their training are [encouraged] to administer punishment to school children - caning inclusive," said Dison Wasolo, a parent and headmaster of nearby Mawululu Primary School.

Only a few parents opposed the resolution passed at the PTA special general meeting in St. Matthew's Cathedral, Buhungu.

Ambrose Walimbwa opened the debate when he charged that his child had a swollen head after a teacher bashed him against a wall.

When contacted for comment over the Buhungu resolution, the Minister of State for Education, Capt. Edward Francis Babu, said he was first going to investigate the matter before commenting on it.