Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to investigate the Zimbabwean parents’ perceptions
on the use of corporal punishment (CP) as a disciplinary tool in primary schools. The
research was carried out in Mbare/Hatfield district. The sample had twenty-five
participants comprising of parents and guardians, males and females from the five
purposively selected schools. Event sampling was also used to select the participants and
the qualitative paradigm was used which led the researcher to use focus group
discussions. Audio recordings were done although a note taker was taking notes during
the discussions. The data collected was transcribed and grouped into themes, categories
and sub-categories. The findings revealed that most parents supported the use of CP as a
disciplinary tool in primary schools. The findings indicated that parents are against the
section in the Government Gazette (2013) on CP in schools. Most parents suggested that
CP should be mild just to discipline not to injure or kill and they also suggested that the
tool used to administer CP should be very small. The research findings also brought in
other options of disciplining children in primary schools other than using CP since most
of the children in schools were born with health challenges that may not need pain on
their body. Some of the suggested disciplinary measures were giving manual work,
motivation, spiritual guidance, laying down clear rules for the children and linking the
home and the school. Some of the participants brought the idea of investigating more on
the behaviour of the children if there is no change after trying suggested methods because
some of the children may be having mental challenges which may be forcing them to
behave in such a way. Since parents supported the use of CP as a disciplinary tool in
primary schools, they can encourage the teachers to use it in schools despite the laws
against it. The policy makers were recommended to involve parents and explain what is
meant by the policy being proposed before it is endorsed as a policy and to educate
teachers and parents about the negative effects of using CP.
