The passage of RA 7610 leaves no room for corporal punishment among school children.  The law keeps the teachers on check on how they deal with problem pupils and what measures can be adopted to discipline these pupils.

 

However, old – schooled teachers contend that lessons are learned in punishment.  They cite that those mentored through the old system are more disciplined and become more responsible and have higher regards for education.  However, those who crafted the law have another view on today’s system of education and the way discipline should be imposed.

 

For those who believe in the merits of RA 7610, punishment does not control misconduct.  It only makes the offender more cautious in committing a mistake.  Punishment develops the offender’s ability to conceal traces of the mistakes committed.  A punished offender becomes skillful in escaping detection.  With this, he becomes less honest and less responsible.

 

Others conclude that punishment controls behavior, but it does not produce desirable behavior nor reduce the chance of misbehaving. 

 

What is more appropriate is to humor the children instead of scolding and punishing them.  It develops within them a sense of being heard of and being given the chance to air their side.  It is not surprising to hear complaints about a child’s misbehavior.  But punishment is not an avenue to treat the misconduct committed.

 

So, is there a lesson learned after imposing a punishment on an erring pupil or child?  Probably there is.  But is it the ability of the children to be untrue to their feelings because of the restrictions imposed by the punishment.

 

 

By: Alvin R. Medina | Teacher II | Gugo Elementary School | Samal, Bataan