OLDER Jamaicans, and some not so old, readily recall the days when corporal punishment — some called it ‘murderation’ — was the preferred method of punishment for misbehaving schoolchildren.

Sadly, in times past, pupils were beaten not only for indiscipline but for getting their ‘sums’ wrong and for other failures in schoolwork.

Nowadays, we know, corporal punishment is frowned on in schools, though anecdotal evidence suggests there is still the odd slap from an angry teacher. For sure the Ministry of Education and other relevant bodies, including the teachers’ union, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, long ago turned against the beating habit in schools.

Also, teachers have gone before the courts on assault charges for allegedly hitting children.

The evolution in disciplinary methods in the education system provides hope that perhaps in time to come ‘sparing the rod’ will also become the option of choice in the great majority of Jamaican homes.

That day, though, is still in the far distance, despite the insistence by experts and researchers that corporal punishment does great harm. Available evidence suggests that children routinely beaten by their elders are more inclined than others to develop ultra-aggressive tendencies. They are the ones, experts say, who as adults are more likely to physically abuse children and spouses. Hence, the view that corporal punishment is among the main causes for dangerously high levels of violent behaviour for Jamaicans of all ages.

Dating back to his days as education minister more than a decade ago, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has consistently and vigorously spoken out against beating children. He has repeatedly voiced the need for legislation to ban the practice.

Following the death of a child who was allegedly beaten at home for eating too slowly in July last year, Mr Holness told Parliament that “We, as a society, must ban corporal punishment.”

Legislation towards that end makes perfect sense, in our view.

But as Opposition Leader Mr Mark Golding pointed out at the time, there must also be a serious education campaign to change belief systems. A law by itself— without a powerful, accompanying awareness drive — may lead to deep resentment in sections of the society without effectively addressing the problem.

We dare not forget that there are deep-seated, religious and cultural reasons buttressing what many adults believe to be the rightness of corporal punishment.

We believe the situation demands targeted parental training, not only sponsored by the State but also led at the community level by private, voluntary organisations.

Previously, in this space, we have pointed to the example set by the Porus Primary Parenting Club in Porus, Manchester. That community group was very active prior to the onset of COVID-19 in providing guidance for parents in that community, not only in regard to such thorny issues as the best ways to discipline children but in giving broad, wide-ranging advice.

In fact, when the pandemic hit in March 2020, members of the Porus Primary Parenting Club were helping the start-up of similar community groups across Manchester, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth.

We also know that there are other such community initiatives across Jamaica. In other words, there is a wheel already in motion. There is no need to reinvent it.