The Lagos State Government has once again made it clear that flogging is not allowed in public schools. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, noted that corporal punishment remains prohibited, and teachers are expected to use counselling instead.
During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Alli-Balogun stated that punishing students through flogging could lead to injuries, fainting, or even more serious consequences. He stressed that the government had adopted counselling as the preferred method of discipline.
“There is a policy here in Lagos and other parts of the country prohibiting teachers from giving corporal punishment to students/pupils,” Alli-Balogun stated. “Against flogging, we have adopted counselling as a measure of correction.”
The commissioner noted that while counselling is the main approach, other mild corrective measures such as kneeling, picking up litter, or cutting grass could be used. These actions, he explained, are part of “positive reinforcement” to help students understand the importance of discipline.
“The idea is to bring to the student’s knowledge, reasons he/she must not misbehave,” he explained. “The counselling is basically to correct.”
Alli-Balogun also pointed out that poor parental upbringing contributes to student misbehavior. He urged parents to take an active role in guiding their children to develop good values.
Since the ban on flogging, the commissioner noted that student discipline has improved, with many becoming more aware of their actions and the consequences.
The Lagos State Government officially banned corporal punishment in both public and private schools in 2022. To further protect students, the state introduced the Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme, which promotes safer ways to manage student behavior.
