{
  "id": 11940597,
  "title": "Corporal Punishment Ban: Stakeholders Seek Clearer Discipline Framework, More Counsellors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/corporal-punishment-ban-stakeholders-seek-clearer-discipline",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T14:31:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/04/corporal-punishment-ban-stakeholders-seek-clearer-discipline-framework-more-counsellors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Education sector stakeholders convened in Lagos to advocate for a thorough examination of school discipline policies, enhanced parental engagement, and a larger pool of guidance counsellors following the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools. During the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF) and SIFAX Group-backed Lagos State school discipline policy roundtable, a diverse group of policymakers, educators, students, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders gathered to discuss the implications of the ban and explore alternative strategies for managing student misconduct. The event, part of International Teachers' Day celebrations, recognized outstanding teachers in Lagos State and emphasized the necessity of a clear disciplinary framework, greater parental involvement, and expanded support for guidance counsellors to effectively address behavioral challenges in schools. The stakeholders agreed that sustainable reform of school discipline required collaborative efforts among government, schools, parents, civil society organizations, and students, with a shared responsibility to promote accountability while safeguarding learners' dignity and rights. Following a statewide policy review involving 451 students, 42 school leaders and teachers, and 150 students in focus group discussions across 15 schools, the researchers identified gaps in policy implementation, teacher capacity, institutional support, and stakeholder engagement. The report recommended clearer disciplinary procedures, stronger safeguarding mechanisms, sustained stakeholder engagement, and the development of alternative approaches to address behavioral challenges. Participants acknowledged the ban on corporal punishment as consistent with child protection principles but stressed the need for additional operational guidelines, institutional support, and effective alternatives for managing student misconduct. Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of the SIFAX Group and Chairman of the AAAF Board of Trustees, emphasized discipline's role in educational success and national development, urging stakeholders to prioritize children's welfare and develop practical solutions centered on their best interests. Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Ali-Balogun, highlighted the importance of parental involvement in discipline, noting that many school behavioral issues stemmed from societal challenges. He called for greater parental responsibility in the moral upbringing of children and urged parents to take an active role in addressing behavioral concerns. Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, criticized corporal punishment for its ineffectiveness in producing lasting behavioral change, advocating for communication-based, guidance-centered, and accountability-focused disciplinary approaches. Students participating in AAAF’s essay competition on school discipline contributed to the discussion, advocating for strategies that foster character, responsibility, and self-control, moving away from traditional punitive methods.",
  "summary": "Funmi Ogundare Stakeholders in the education sector weekend called for a comprehensive review of school discipline frameworks, stronger parental involvement and increased deployment of guidance counsellors to help schools manage",
  "key_points": [
    "Stakeholders call for clearer school discipline framework post-corporal punishment ban",
    "Lagos roundtable discusses parental engagement, guidance counsellor expansion",
    "Report identifies gaps in implementation, teacher capacity, stakeholder engagement"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}