The Daily Nation News, July 23, 2000

KENYA: THE BAN ON SCHOOL CANING IS TO BE ENFORCED
By Catherine Gicheru

Though the ban was imposed in 1996 through a circular issued by the Director of Education, it was neither gazetted nor enforced. Corporal punishment was introduced in 1972 under the Education (School Discipline) Regulations under the education law. These regulations have also now been repealed, according to a circular by the Head of the Civil Service, Dr Richard Leakey, dated July 13. This follows recommendations by the Standing Committee on Human Rights (Kenya) in its report presented to President Moi three weeks ago. In calling for abolition of caning, the committee suggested that parents, teachers and the society be educated on the harm done by corporal punishment and the alternative to it. The committee also recommends that counselling programmes for teachers, parents and students be strengthened. Return to Table of Contents.