Corporal Punishment in Private Schools: The Case of Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to elaborate the situation of corporal punishment which is being practiced in Nepalese schools going against new policies that promote the non-violence teaching. It was based on original qualitative study of one private school of Kathmandu (the capital city of Nepal) having more than 2000 students and 100 teachers. Results from FGD, observation of the classroom practice, situational interviews with parents, teachers and students indicated that most teachers as well as parents thought, the best way to discipline children is punishment because it creates fear in them and this prevents misbehavior, promotes obedience and help to perform high academically. Teachers and administrators were found ignoring the rights of child and about the principles of child psychology and development.  Students had accepted the corporal punishment as a culture of school. This study is significant to know why teachers in private schools in Nepal often use the corporal punishment on students during teaching and learning periods. So this study is important for the government of Nepal, organization involving to child rights and stakeholders. The results showed the accepted and negated concept of social learning theory, power theory and choice theory by the parents, teachers, school principal and students.

Keywords: Corporal punishment, Private school, Teachers, Parents, Students, Discipline, Violence