The impact of the abolition of corporal punishment in teacher morale: 1994-2004 - Matsidiso Naong

There is a direct correlation between (teacher) morale and (learner) discipline at school. Since the scrapping of corporal punishment, a sense of despair seems to have taken over amongst teachers in South Africa. The findings of this study indicated that more than 65% of teachers, out of a sample population of 80 respondents from schools located in Bloemfontein in the Free State, claimed that discipline at schools had deteriorated, and that their passion for teaching and the joy they had once found in their work had been adversely affected since the decision had come into effect. Amongst the many reasons for low morale, cited by the teachers, lack of discipline was clearly the most prevalent and common concern, and generally seemed to be attributed to the aboliton of corporal punishment. I explore this concern and its impact on overall teacher morale.
From: South African Journal of Education, Vol. 27 (2) 2007, pp. 283-300