My school belongs to an association of 41 secondary schools which holds a debate for all 8-10th graders in the area each year. This year's motion will be 'Corporal punishment should be re-introduced in schools.'
I said to the students, "Do you understand what this means? This motion implies you are not beaten by teachers now." Looks of confusion. "But you should be beaten." No! they yelled.
I think this debate motion is funny, I told them. Of course, I then had to explain why I thought it was funny. I hate explaining why I think things are funny.
Do your teachers beat you?
'Me Malimpho whipped us this morning, they told me.
Where, how, why?
They held up their palms. They said, Here, with a stick. And, Because we didn't do our work.
Then what is this debate topic all about? It says you don't get beaten at school . . . but you should be.
After some time, Lefa timidly raised his hand and saved us. He said, I think that it's because the Ministry of Education says we shouldn't be beaten.
Thanks, Lefa. You mean it's against the law? Does anyone agree with Lefa?
No one agreed.
Lefa's right. They all said they hadn't known. They all asked where the laws are written, and who makes them up? Then we listed reasons why whipping students can be both useful and detrimental. This is going to be a fun next few weeks. I hope we whip the other schools in the debate and reap a whole lot of education out of the process.