I know that those who think they know that the cane is not (necessarily) the solution to indiscipline in schools are very likely to annoy those who do.
My view on corporal punishment may therefore be unpopular and in dissonance with other actors and bystanders in the sector of education.
I am however privileged to enjoy the freedom of expression and speech as guaranteed in the constitution but I will restrain myself from misusing it.
I am of the opinion that although the cane may be a deterrent to misconduct, it can equally be a wasteful way of bringing up and shaping a student’s future.
I got my primary school education at a time some teachers behaved as if beating us was a sport.
I dare say that most of the beatings at school made a negligible positive contribution to my character and the eventual path my life took.
For instance, my maths teacher during my last year in the school could give us not less than 200 problems to solve over the weekend.
On weekdays, we could be given at least 80 questions to do at home and submit for marking in the morning.
These problems were from at least three textbooks and a majority of us did not have copies.
The worst part of this matter is that he never cared if we had more assignments from other teachers.
We knew that in the morning, each unanswered question earned a student two strokes of the cane.
We also knew that one question answered wrongly was equivalent to one stroke of the cane.
To beat him in his game, we looked for exercise books of former pupils and copied the answers.
Unfortunately, this ‘antidote’ did not work all the time and therefore one was very likely to feel the pain of mwalimu’s prescription the next day.
It was very unfortunate that many pupils just copied the answers without ever seeing the questions and they escaped the beating.
I should have noted that we were over 50 in the class and the teacher did not mark our books by himself.
Instead, after going round to see if we had done the assignment, he told us to exchange our exercise books and then read the answers to us as we marked for ourselves.
If one got a wrong answer, he could be signalled by whoever was marking (if they were friends) and be allowed to write the correct answer.
Now! Was this teacher teaching or taking us into a ditch?
I have tried to recall my classmates and I can only find one who eventually pursued a math related course.
I think the behaviour of this particular teacher was extremely wanting and could have been met with serious rebellion including a strike.
Towards the tail end of my basic education, caning learners was abolished but we had really gotten a share of injustice.
This should not be misunderstood to mean that there were no times we really deserved the beating we got.
The cane is good, and this is captured even in the Holy Bible and wise sayings but many teachers misused it.
Presently, there are video clips going round social media showing a group of extremely annoyed youthful teachers manhandling a student as if he is a thug.
The clip is said to have been filmed in a school in a neighbouring country but Kenya too has reported such incidents in recent times yet the ban on corporal punishment is still in force.
And, truth be said, although caning is illegal, some schools allow it sparingly.
In our case, we conformed to what the teacher wanted but was it beneficial to us in the long term?
I also wait to understand how students (some who have never been caned by their parents and guardians) will receive the news of the return of corporal punishment meekly.
Boarding schools
The other remedy to arson and student unrest that does not add up when I look at it is the proposal to abolish boarding schools.
From where I sit, having studied in day schools all my life, there is too much wastage of time and energy when you go to school every morning and return home in the evening, more especially if the school is far.
There are also problems beyond the student on the road and at home.
In any case, boarding schools make students meet others from elsewhere in the country and this is good for the formation of a modern nation.
We cannot be dreaming of combating negative ethnicity while we expressly confine our children in schools around us.
Expanding facilities to accommodate more learners comfortably remains a tall order but this country wastes too much money in unworthwhile projects and corruption.
Today’s child is growing up in an environment full of distractions and pressure.
As Kenyans, we will have to detach raw emotions as we confront this monster that is bedeviling our children.
Advocating for the cane because we were once caned does not always add up.
- Mr Araka is The Scholar Media Africa managing editor. He is also a creative writer and biographer.
