B.N.T.U. asks what is to replace corporal punishment

Luke Palacio

Corporal Punishment was also discussed by the union. Teachers are no longer allowed to use the rod to discipline children. Minister Faber also lashed out at teachers who continue to use corporal punishment in the classroom. The B.N.T.U. agrees that teachers should comply with the rules but the educators need to be trained in alternative methods of discipline.

Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U.

“In terms of administering corporal punishment…brothers and sisters we will remember that the B.N.T.U. marched on Belmopan against the removal of corporal punishment from the education rules. And we did not do so because we wanted to be beating up on anybody’s children; as a matter of fact, the 2000 rules…rule one-forty-four clearly stated that it was only the principal that should have administered corporal punishment. But that was not our fight. Our fight was and continues to be—and we have said it in every forum that we’ve had an opportunity—that you are removing corporal punishment; with what are you replacing it? We’ve asked over and over let us train our teachers in the alternative forms of discipline. Oh that will be in the new rules, oh that we will be working on that…those are the types of answers you are getting. And our teachers are suffering because our children are going to school and threatening our teachers simply because they know they cannot administer corporal punishment. And let us go on the record today; B.N.T.U. has never and will never defend teachers who have decided that despite the removal of corporal punishment from the rules…you want to disobey the rules, teachers that is your problem. The rules are clear: do not administer corporal punishment, do not administer anything that may be interpreted as being corporal punishment. You cannot manage your classroom because they have removed corporal punishment, then go to your principal—that’s the first person you go to and say you go manage that disciplinary problem. And if the principal cannot manage that disciplinary problem, you tell that teacher go get your manager then to come and manage this disciplinary problem because they—and the minister—because my friends, brothers and sisters, it is not that we have said to the ministry offer and offer. Our teachers come to our office trembling; noh wah cgo back dah that school, noh wah go back dah that classroom. Why? Because the children are out of order. And B.N.T.U. has said over and over, we want that if you remove corporal punishment, you must put in place systems that will ensure that the discipline in the classroom is maintained and for learning to take place and for the safety and security of our students and our teachers because children are being bullied as well. We know that. Those of us who are in the classroom know that.”