The Lagos State Government has reiterated its ban on corporal punishment in public schools, emphasizing counselling as a more effective disciplinary approach.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, reaffirmed this policy during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. He stressed that flogging students for disciplinary reasons remains strictly prohibited to prevent injuries, fainting, or even fatal incidents.
“There is a policy in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from administering corporal punishment to students,” Alli-Balogun stated. “Instead of flogging, we have adopted counselling as a corrective measure.”
While promoting a non-violent approach, the commissioner noted that minor corrective measures such as kneeling, picking up litter, or cutting grass within school premises could be used as alternatives. He described these actions as forms of “positive reinforcement” designed to shape student behavior and encourage discipline in a constructive manner.
“The goal is to help students understand why they must not misbehave,” he explained. “Counselling is meant to correct, not to harm.”
Alli-Balogun attributed much of student misbehavior to inadequate parental guidance and urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s upbringing.
He also highlighted that since the ban on flogging, student discipline has improved significantly, with many becoming more conscious of their actions and the consequences.
Lagos State officially outlawed corporal punishment in both public and private schools in 2022. That same year, the government introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme to strengthen child safety and promote alternative disciplinary methods.
This reaffirmation underscores the state’s commitment to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
