Extracted from the CADRES Survey done on behalf of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provided to BU with the compliments of Peter Wickham, Head of CADRES
The report speaks to the issue of corporal punishment and other major educational issues in Barbados, based on a July 2009 Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) sponsored survey of a representative sample of adults and children across Barbados, along with other previous Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES) surveys where these are relevant. It was commissioned as part of a BUT/UNICEF initiative to track public opinion trends on the use of corporal punishment against children as well as other issues of importance to the mandate of the Government of Barbados’ National Commission on Education.
The survey found that support for corporal punishment in schools has fallen precipitously since 2004 when it was 69% to a significantly lower marginal majority of Barbados at 54% in 2009. Additionally, students’/children’s opposition to corporal punishment in schools remains consistent. Currently 74% of children oppose this form of punishment in schools and this opposition has clearly solidified since 2004 when it was 56%.
However, corporal punishment in the home is another matter. An overwhelming majority of Barbadians (75%) still support and use corporal punishment in the home and while this support has fallen slightly since 2004 when it was 80%, it is still quite high and suggestive that Barbadians wish to maintain this form of punishment in the home at this time. Just over half of the students/children support the retention of corporal punishment in the home (54%) falling significantly from 76% in 2004.
With regards to corporal punishment it is interesting that opposition tends to follow a pattern that is influenced by age, gender and educational attainment. As a result it can be seen that support for corporal punishment is higher among older persons (51 years old and over) and persons who have had limited educational exposure (primary and secondary level). Conversely, younger people and those who have been exposed to tertiary and post-secondary education tend to oppose corporal punishment. Reference to the actual use of corporal punishment is consistent when relevant questions are asked of parents and children. It would appear that corporal punishment is used in a majority of cases (63%) across the island but is especially popular in large families and seems to be the preferred form of discipline by women; older persons and those men and women who are married, divorced and widowed.
On other educational issues, the survey noted declining support for the retention of the common entrance examination with support dropping from 58% in 2007 to 44% in 2009. There was an expression of support for mixed ability schooling (66%) and a desire for special schools for persons of outstanding academic ability (51%) along with those who are particularly challenged educationally (80%) and deviant (72%). There is similar support for a technical school (75%) and a belief that all teachers should be specially trained as such (91%). The public is, however, split regarding the issue of the school leaving age since 47% support it being raised to age 18 and 47% oppose that change, with the remainder not expressing an opinion on the issue. Some interesting permutations emerged here also since women and older persons clearly want it raised, while other segments of the population are not of the opinion that it needs to be raised.
Barbadians are similarly uncertain about the Principals’ ability to expel students with 53% supporting the retention of that power by Principals and a cumulative total of 47% not supporting the retention of that power. There is reasonable support for the banning of cell phone use in school by children (58%); however there is little excitement regarding the banning of cell phone use by teachers in class rooms by either adults or children (adults 54%, children 39%).
Finally, the survey spoke to the issue of the Challenor School which half of Barbadians (49%) believe should be taken over by government. The small majority also believes that tax payers should continue to fund education at the UWI (53%); however there is a significant core of Barbadians who think differently (40%).
29 responses so far ↓
David // November 10, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Reading the summary page and note the interesting stat i,e. Barbadians support corporal punishment in the home (74%) and 54% in the school. Unlike Peter who believes this has something to do with better education etc the BU household believes it has something to do with a lack of confidence in our modern-day teachers. Not sure if CADRES tackled this point later in the analysis.
Citizen // November 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM
David, that is also my belief!
zion1971 // November 10, 2009 at 12:43 PM
I am surprised that more kids(79%) didnot oppose corporal punishment in school.Afterall it is their backside paying for those licks.
Sapidillo // November 10, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I am curious who made up the sample of people for the survey. Was it made up & balanced with people from all walks of life.
David // November 10, 2009 at 1:21 PM
@Sapidillo
Please read p7 of the Introduction and Methodology page, an extract for your info:
Peter W. Wickham // November 10, 2009 at 5:56 PM
The difference between the support levels for corporal punishment in the school and are in my opinion caused by the fact that (we) Bajans want to beat our own children, but are not comfortable with other people beating them. Naturally, I think we are not enlightened on both fronts, but I accept that I am in the minority on this point. I can only hope as Barbados becomes more educated and enlightened more people will see my point and support will fall below 50%. Since it fell 15% in 4 years, I can only hope that by 2013 corporal punishment in schools will be both unpopular and illegal.
Peter W. Wickham // November 10, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Regarding zion1971’s comment. I think that as bizarre as it sounds, some children believe that their parents and teachers have the “right” to beat them. Scary eh?
Bonny Peppa // November 10, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Peter Wickham
You’re a fella that I admire a lot but I disagree totally with your stance on corporal punishment and the 11plus exam.
You make it seem as though these children are brutalised. Brutality is child abuse. A good whipping cannot be regarded as child abuse.
Sorry.
David // November 10, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Are we reading the poll correctly i.e. 25% of the population polled had no children?
Peter W. Wickham // November 10, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Actually that’s 25% of “single” respondents had no children. 33% of them had one child etc…
David // November 10, 2009 at 7:09 PM
@Peter
It seems Mathew Farley smells an agenda in your poll, moreso UNICEF who commissioned the poll. This a serious charge!
We agree with Farley when he says many of the developed countries have school systems and home fronts in shambles. As an educator he confirmed the level of corporal punishment has been significantly reduced in recent times. So what is the beef? There are signs our school system is in decay, why send a message to the students by removing corporal punishment?
Sargeant // November 10, 2009 at 7:16 PM
BP
One thing that I was taught at school that stuck with me to this day is that words like “good” is relative. Good for what? Good to whom? So when I read a statement containing the words “A good whipping” I am left wondering who was it “good” for? I’ve seen children receive “good whippings” and their behaviour didn’t change one iota after the initial pain subsided, does that mean that they should be subjected to more “good whippings” until the desired result is achieved? And why are children being flogged at school? We know that they are flogged for being late, are they also flogged for being “duncy” for being talkative? for disrupting class?.
Perhaps some of the bloggers could list the reasons why children are being flogged.
Bush Tea // November 10, 2009 at 7:32 PM
“Regarding zion1971’s comment. I think that as bizarre as it sounds, some children believe that their parents and teachers have the “right” to beat them. Scary eh?”
**************************************
If Wickham knew anything about children he may also ‘think’ that some children are intelligent enough to recognize that those parents and teachers who care enough to correct them, and to set clear limits with meaningful penalties probably have their best interests at heart.
Despite the instinctive lawless tendencies of youth, some children do actually KNOW that they need strong guidance, regular and caring correction and even the occasional ‘cut ass’ – if they are to enjoy a successful future.
Bush Tea will never be impressed by deviants who have no children of their own – and who show no inclination to change that status – telling us how we should raise ours.
….it is almost as bad as the situation where those following non traditional sexual lifestyles themselves, feel compelled to convince us that all the rest of us are out of step…
Peter W. Wickham // November 10, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Bush Tea will never be impressed by deviants who have no children of their own – and who show no inclination to change that status – telling us how we should raise ours.
….it is almost as bad as the situation where those following non traditional sexual lifestyles themselves, feel compelled to convince us that all the rest of us are out of step…
As always Bush Tea takes this discussion into the gutter and at that point I’m gone since I am not comfortable in a gutter.
To him and others who have children and think I am “deviant” because I don’t I suggest you follow the dictates of the Bible at Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) which says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” In short “BEAT THEM”.
Bush Tea // November 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Coward!
…another Bush Tea issue… Those who can only enter a discussion when he can turn the volume off and talk over – or directly cut off -anyone who contradicts his nonsense…..
Stay on radio – it suits you!
What beat what!!
…only a complete idiot confuses discipline by a caring parent or teacher who is intent on a successful outcome for a child or student, with some bully ‘beating ‘ another person…
Anyone hatefully beating another should be punished by the law! …and such punishment to be meaningful!
When supposedly intelligent persons use the emotion of ‘beatings’ to negate the lawful and time-tried tool of effective discipline – which may include physical ‘caning’ or other physical action by caring adults – and influence other gullible onlookers to the detriment of society – it is no wonder that their notion of the ‘gutter’ is warped.
David // November 10, 2009 at 9:12 PM
@Peter
You can’t be that thin-skinned? It contrasts starkly with your radio personality. Any comment on Farley’s position as stated above?
Dennis Jones (aka Living in Barbados) // November 10, 2009 at 9:20 PM
@Bush Tea, “…only a complete idiot confuses discipline by a caring parent or teacher who is intent on a successful outcome for a child or student, with some bully ‘beating ‘ another person…
Anyone hatefully beating another should be punished by the law! …and such punishment to be meaningful!” We know that not all parents of their own and/or others’ children, so how will they be identified and have their punishment meted out. Where is the evidence that only the ‘caring’ parents are amongst the floggers?
Are we to assume that teachers are ‘intent on a successful outcome for a child or student’ (whatever that wide statement means)?
David // November 10, 2009 at 9:32 PM
@BT
The struggle is going to be long. Here it is we have an American society which has discombobulated the teaching profession and the result in their middle and High Schools is there to analyse. What does Barbados want to do? Follow a school system which can’t attract people to the profession, we are starting to see the same in Barbados. There is debate in the US at this time about whether President Obama should have sent his children to public schools, he decided to go for private. Barbadians need to show leadership and be courageous on these matters.
Let us do it our way!
Should we wait until a jackass kill a few students as is the routine in the USA?
Bush Tea // November 10, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Lord have’ is Mercy!! A next nedda one???!
Dennis Jones!
Read your piece again and see if you want to restate it so that it is at least logically sound.
..how will who be identified….?
“Where is the evidence that only the ‘caring’ parents are amongst the floggers?”
HUH?
“Are we to assume that teachers are ‘intent on a successful outcome for a child or student’”
HUH?
Bush Tea // November 10, 2009 at 9:50 PM
@ David,
David, most Bajans are still smart enough to know that the ‘way’ being promoted by these jokers is the way of chaos.
As the poll shows, even our children (a significant percentage of them) can see this.
Unfortunately, a few deviants who are seeking to promote themselves and their warped ideals get themselves into highly visible positions and push these nonsense agendas on to John Public.
Actually they are not even original, but copying the agendas of the various first world, UN and World Bank agencies.
The plan is to repeat these positions so often that it becomes ‘hip’ and ‘academic’ to go with the program.
No hanging
No corporal punishment
No God
No manliness
The fact that these policies has led to the demise of the very societies in the developed world seems to be lost to the local jokers….
We probably can’t stop them, but they just pi$$ the bushman off…. Sorry!!
Anonymous // November 10, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Bush Tea promotes backwardness, violence and idiocy.
Bush Tea // November 10, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Bush Tea promotes normal blood pressure, improved anti-oxidants and good bowel movements…..
..be sure to let it steep for at least 3 minutes before drinking.
….see? a whole two lines!
Think you can support your 7 word thesis Anonymous?
Bonny Peppa // November 11, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Bush Tea,
Spot on.
We can spot the ‘fools’ easily.
Play on.
Bonny Peppa // November 11, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Sargeant
And what about the ones who were given a ‘good whipping’ and their behaviour changed a tillion iotas?
Works for most.
Young Bajan // November 11, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Glad to see it spelt out so eloquently by David. Even i’m young and agree that following that “model” is bewildered. But some are really good at using few situation and painting a whole pasture with that brush.
David // November 11, 2009 at 6:31 PM
@Peter
A little disappointed you have not responded to our request for a comment on Mathew Farley’s remarks last night.
Atman // November 14, 2009 at 12:13 AM
I would like to say to Mr. Wickham that I, like many others here, grew up getting lashes when my parents or teachers thought that I was deserving of it, and I would say that it has served me well. For me it was a deterent to bad behaviour and lawlessness.
It is true that I did get some unfair lashes at times from both parents and teachers, and there were occasions when teachers too extreme and heavy-handed, but generally speaking the punishment was justified in most cases.
I can understand why some parents do not trust teachers to administer corporal punishment, but prefer to do it themselves. It comes down to what I term as adequate dosage…the intensity and number of lashes administered for a particular infraction. Also some children may have medical conditions and cannot handle severe lashes.
I remember fearing going to school on Wednesdays at primary school because that was spelling day, and each child in my class had to write down all 20 words we were given to learn the week before as the teacher called them out randomly. The teacher was brutal, and for each word we got wrong was a lash with a leather strap across our backs. On one occasion I got 8 words wrong, and went home with wales in my back and the skin broken. My grandmother saw blood marks on my kaki shirt at the back and asked me about it, I explained what happened and took off my shirt. She was very angry at what she saw on my back, and she paid the headmaster a visit the following morning and made me take off my shirt for him to see. After that no one in the class got beat for spelling words wrong.
David // November 18, 2009 at 8:13 AM
BU asked Peter for his reaction to Farley’s condemnation of the report above which was compiled by CADRES. Peter elected to respond via his Nation column.
Children Go To School And Learn Well… « Barbados Underground // November 21, 2009 at 7:28 PM
[...] this week CADRES compiled the 2009 Final Barbados National Survey On Corporal Punishment And Educational Issues Report which measured the opinions of Barbadians regarding the use of corporal punishment in schools and [...]