Lagos Schools To Enforce No-Flogging Policy, Commissioner Asserts

Lagos Schools To Enforce No-Flogging Policy, Commissioner Asserts

The Lagos State Government has once again emphasized its ban on corporal punishment in public schools, promoting counselling as a more effective means of discipline. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, reiterated this stance during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. He explained that flogging students for misbehaviour is strictly prohibited to prevent harm, including injuries, fainting, or even death…….READ MORE

Alli-Balogun stated, “There is a policy in Lagos, as well as in other parts of the country, that forbids teachers from administering corporal punishment.” Instead, counselling has been adopted as the preferred method of correction. He also suggested alternative, non-violent measures such as kneeling, picking up litter, or cutting grass on school grounds, which are part of “positive reinforcement” aimed at shaping students’ behaviour.

He noted that the purpose of counselling is to help students understand the reasons behind their misbehaviour and correct their actions. Alli-Balogun attributed much of the misbehaviour to poor parental guidance and urged parents to be more engaged in their children’s lives. Since the corporal punishment ban, discipline in schools has reportedly improved, with students becoming more aware of their actions and the consequences.

In 2022, the Lagos State Government officially prohibited corporal punishment in both public and private schools. That same year, the government introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in Schools to enhance child safety and encourage alternative disciplinary approaches.