Loud Whispers

The SA Human Rights Commission is calling for the criminalisation of corporal punishment in schools.

The commission said in its first independent report on civil and political rights, launched in Johannesburg yesterday, that corporal punishment was a “sad reality”, despite being banned.

“Any form of corporal punishment violates the children’s rights and should be criminalised,” said Fola Adeleke, the commission’s head of research.

In its report, the commission says it has called on the Education Department to expedite a “national protocol to enforce the statutory prohibition of corporal punishment in schools” and provide for the prosecution of teachers who administer corporal punishment in schools.

According to the report, any form of corporal punishment is inconsistent with South Africa’s constitution.

“The SAHRC found that even light corporal punishment violates the best interest of the child in the constitution and should be criminalised,” the report said.

Timeslive