The Case for a National Educational Policy on Alternative Disciplinary Measures for Learners in Kenyan Schools: Lessons from South Africa

Abstract

Oftentimes discipline to the children has been guided by the values, principles and religious provisions such as sparing the rod and spoiling the child among others. Such values continue to perpetuate the notion that physical punishment for children is necessary to ensure that they grow uprightly and, in a manner that will be beneficial to them in their personal development. This paper being a comparative study on the national policies for alternative disciplinary processes for learners in Kenyan and South African Schools aims to break down the existing legislations and policies that prohibit corporal punishment in Kenya. The methodology within this paper is pure desk research that relies on articles, books, journals and other sources from academic and professional platforms that highlight the topical issues being tackled herewith. The problems of the existing framework on corporal punishment in Kenya are dissected to bring out its shortcomings. The landscape and indiscipline within the Kenyan education system are highlighted as well as that of South Africa. South Africa having established reforms against corporal punishment becomes a crucial jurisdiction for this study as it provides lessons that Kenya can learn from the South African Experience. From this paper, it is evident that the prohibition of corporal punishment within the education system does not in any way create a gap in terms of disciplining children but rather creates an alternative means of instilling discipline in children, an alternative that is effective in nature and one that has a positive impact