The Lagos State Government has reiterated its ban on corporal punishment in public schools, emphasizing NJ counseling as a more effective approach to discipline.
Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, reaffirmed the policy in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
He stressed that flogging students for misbehavior remains strictly prohibited to prevent injuries or fatal incidents.
“There is a policy in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting corporal punishment in schools,” Alli-Balogun stated. “Instead of flogging, we have adopted counseling as a corrective measure.”
He explained that minor disciplinary actions, such as kneeling or picking up litter, could be used as alternatives under a strategy of “positive reinforcement” to encourage better behavior.
The commissioner attributed many cases of student misbehavior to inadequate parental guidance and urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s lives.
He also noted that since the ban, student discipline has improved, with students becoming more aware of their actions and consequences.
Lagos officially banned corporal punishment in public and private schools in 2022. That same year, the government introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme to promote safer, non-violent disciplinary methods in schools.
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