Education stakeholders in Lagos State have called for clearer disciplinary guidelines, more guidance counsellors and stronger parental involvement as schools seek effective alternatives to corporal punishment.
The call was made at a school discipline policy roundtable organised by the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF), with support from SIFAX Group. The meeting brought together government officials, educators, students, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to examine how schools can maintain discipline without physical punishment.
Participants expressed concern that although the ban on corporal punishment aligns with child protection principles, many schools still lack the practical guidelines, training and institutional support needed to manage student misconduct.
A statewide policy review conducted by AAAF across the five divisions of Lagos State examined responses from 451 students and 42 school leaders and teachers, alongside focus group discussions involving 150 students across 15 schools.
The findings highlighted gaps in policy implementation, teacher preparedness and parental engagement, with recommendations including continuous teacher training, clearer school disciplinary procedures and regular policy reviews.
Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Ali-Balogun, stressed that discipline must begin at home, urging parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s upbringing and cooperate with schools when behavioural concerns arise.
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, argued that corporal punishment often creates fear without necessarily producing lasting behavioural change. She advocated approaches built around communication, guidance and accountability.
Students also urged policymakers to prioritise character development, self-control and responsible decision-making rather than relying on physical punishment.
Winner of the foundation’s essay competition, Iwala Olachiwa Sharon, said effective discipline should help children make the right choices even when authority figures are not present. She recommended guidance and counselling, restorative justice and clear disciplinary codes.
Stakeholders further identified social media influence, peer pressure, changing family structures, mental health concerns and neurodiversity as challenges requiring teachers to adopt more informed and flexible disciplinary strategies.
The roundtable concluded that sustainable school discipline requires joint action by government, school authorities, parents, civil society organisations and students, supported by stronger safeguarding measures and adequate counselling services.
Participants maintained that protecting children’s rights and maintaining discipline in schools should go hand in hand, with the ultimate goal of developing responsible learners in a safe educational environment.
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