CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR KEY STAKEHOLDERS TOWARDS THE ELIMINATION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AND ADOPTION OF POSITIVE DISCIPLINE METHODS

ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT

1.0  INTRODUCTION

This report covers the period of March 2007 to December 2007. The report gives a description of the accomplishments, key achievements and impact, challenges, and the recommendations of the programme on Building the capacity of key stakeholders towards the elimination of the use of corporal punishment and the adoption of positive discipline methods.

The programme was initiated in the light of the abolition of the use of corporal punishment in Kenyan schools and due to the increase in the cases of child corporal punishment in schools and homes. Corporal punishment was banned in Kenyan schools in the year 2001 through Legal Notice No. 56 of 2001. This notice effectively repealed Legal Notice No 40 of 1972, which had introduced corporal punishment into the Education Act. The Ministry of Education decided to ban corporal punishment with the realization that corporal punishment was being indiscriminately applied in schools and children were continuously suffering injuries and even death in some instances at the hands of teachers. Apart from physical injury, the Ministry recognizes that this kind of punishment had overall negative effects on children and adversely affected not only their academic performance, but also their psychological well being. Furthermore, Kenya is a signatory to the UNCRC, the ACWRC and passed the Children Act, all of which require that the child be protected, treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity.

This programme sought to increase awareness on positive discipline in homes and schools and build the capacity of teachers on alternative positive and non-violent methods of instilling discipline.

The main strategies that were employed by the programme include:

1. Sensitization through

·        Information, Education and Communication materials

·        Public forums and Meetings with teachers and parents (the community)

·        Media campaigns

2. Training teachers to equip them with skills and knowledge on positive discipline methods

·        Coming up with the way forward to enhance positive discipline

·        Follow-up on the progress on application of positive discipline methods

3. Development of guidelines on positive discipline methods

2.1       SENSITIZATIONS

2.1.2    Reaching out to Schools

A total of 5 schools were reached directly for sensitizations on positive discipline. The schools involved include KICOSHEP Primary school in Kibera, St. Arnold Primary School, Sheepcare Primary School , Kayole 1 Primary School. 

2.1.3    ‘’No Kiboko’’ Day Celebrations

The No Kiboko Day, which is part of the international No-Hitting Day celebrations held on 30^th April every year, was organized by ANPPCAN Kenya in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other key partners and held on the 11^th of April 2007. Children from various schools, Non-governmental organizations and community based organizations, teachers, parents and other caregivers participated in the event at Joseph Kangethe Grounds in Dagoretti, Nairobi . The theme of the celebrations was ‘Towards a Kiboko Free Society: Creating a Child Friendly Learning Environment’. The aim of this event was to create awareness on the effects of corporal punishment and to advocate for ending all forms of corporal punishment of children. Speakers at the function, who included children, teachers and government officials praised the abolishment of corporal punishment in Kenyan schools and emphasized on the need to come up with, policies and nationally acceptable guidelines on positive discipline methods.

The function was presided over by the Director of Basic Education, Ministry of Education. In attendance was the Deputy Secretary, Teachers Service Commission, Assistant Treasurer, Kenya National Union of Teachers among other Government and Civil Society representatives. Representatives of ANPPCAN Kenya board led by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Enock Ochieng’ Mac’Ouma also participated in the event.

2.1.3 Community sensitizations

These were undertaken during the second round of the project as from August 2007.

Four sensitizations of one day were carried out in Nairobi, Kisii and Siaya. The sensitizations targeted community members who included representatives of community based organizations, the local administrations, chiefs and village elders, and school management committees. 

Specifically, the sensitizations targeted the following areas:

• The St. John community centre members and the local administration in Pumwani Division, Nairobi. It was held at Pumwani Social Hall. A total of 30 people were reached.
• Kabiru Vocational Training Centre, Dagoretti Division in Nairobi. The target was ECD teachers, parents and Area Advisory Council representative and religious leaders. A total of 40 participants were reached.
• Getembe division. Held at Kisii Primary school. It targeted representatives of school management committees and the local administration. A total of 45 people were reached.
• Siaya Division: targeted caregivers and social workers mobilised by Siaya Women and Youth Network for Development. 55 people were reached during the sensitization.

2.1.4    DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION MATERIALS ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE METHODS

Various categories of IEC materials on Positive Discipline and against corporal punishment were produced and widely disseminated to the target groups. The materials included:

• Branded biro pens
• Kikoys
• T-shirts
• 1 Branded Banner (which was used in various project activities)

Other materials produced through other programmes have been utilised in the activities of this project; they include:

• The publication on Alternatives to corporal punishment ‘’ From Physical Punishment to Positive Discipline: Alternatives to Physical/Corporal Punishment in Kenya’’, Published by ANPPCAN Kenya, 2005.
• Stickers and Fliers with messages on positive discipline
• The simplified version of the Children Act 2001

During the second round of the programme, the training manual was enhanced to include practical topics that were demonstrated through group discussions and presentations. Copies of the manuals and handbooks on positive discipline were provided to all trainees.

Other Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials that was developed include brochures (in Swahili), stickers with messages on positive discipline.

The materials are being disseminated continuously to schools, children institutions and other partners. Feedback on the effectiveness of the materials will be obtained regularly through follow-ups.

2.2       MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

Press conference:

A press conference calling for the end of all forms of corporal punishment was held on 10^th April 2007. The press statement was read by the Chief Executive Officer of ANPPCAN Kenya accompanied by representatives of Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children rights (KAACR), Elimu Yetu Coalition and the Children Department.

The press conference was covered by two major media houses, the Royal Media Services and the Standard group (Kenya Television Network and the Standard Newspaper).

Media Articles:

The “No Kiboko Day’’ sensitization was adequately covered by the media. A story on the event and the public views on issues of corporal punishment and positive discipline were covered in the news on the main media houses (television). The standard newspaper ran a one page article on the main deliberations of the event.

A review of the publication published by ANPPCAN Kenya, From Physical Punishment to Positive Discipline: Alternatives to physical/ Corporal Punishment, was also undertaken by the Standard newspaper.

2.3       TRAINING OF TEACHERS ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE METHODS

The training of teachers is targeted both primary and secondary schools in Nairobi, Rift Valley and Nyanza Provinces.

1^st Round: Two 2-days trainings were held as follows;

• Nairobi: Training of teachers drawn from city primary schools in Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe and Embakasi. A total of 26 teachers from 24 school including 2 divisional education advisors and 1 representative from the Ministry of Education were trained.
• Nakuru: Training of teachers drawn form Nakuru District in Rift Valley. A total of 19 including a representative from the office of the Provincial Director of Education, Rift Valley.

2^nd Round: Two 3-days trainings have been held as follows;

• Nairobi: The non-residential workshop targeted teachers drawn from various schools in Westlands, Kasarani, Dagoretti and Langata Divisions. The workshop was held at the Bounty Hotel in South B. A total of 26 teachers including Divisional Education Advisors participated in the workshop.

• Kisii: The residential workshop was held at Hotel Storm and targeted teachers drawn from Kisii District. A total of 26 teachers including a representative from the District Education Office participated in the workshop. 

All teachers who participated declared a stop to all forms of corporal punishment in their respective schools. They prepared action plans and agreed to sensitize their colleagues and children on positive discipline methods.

2.4       DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES

During the sensitizations, media campaigns and trainings, the project sought the views of the stakeholders, that is, parents, teachers and other professionals on how best positive discipline can be enhanced. Suggestions were provided mainly focusing on the need for the government to spearhead development of policy guidelines on positive discipline especially in school. It was noted that all the stakeholders should be involved. This suggestions formed part of the recommendations and way forward in the training workshops reports.

Efforts were made by ANPPCAN Kenya to engage the Ministry of Education to form a task force for development of guidelines. The top policy makers at the ministry were contacted; however, due to the nature of their schedules it was not possible to commit adequate time for this task as indicated in the challenges in this report.

In order to achieve this in the next phase of the programme; a coalition of partners will be formed to appropriately lobby for this process.

1. Engagement of partners

ANPPCAN Kenya has been able to engage various stakeholders in the programme. They include the Ministry of Education, the children department, Non-governmental organizations and community based organizations. They participated in the sensitizations activities of the programme.

The Ministry of Education was interested in development of guidelines on positive discipline methods.

Ministry of education officials at the district level participated in the trainings.

2. Media Engagement

The media both the electronic and print have been actively engaged in the programme. The media articles on corporal punishment and positive discipline has sparkled public debate with varying views from all corners. Hence, the need to come up with clear and practical alternatives to corporal punishment. The chief executive officer, ANPPCAN Kenya, participated in two radio and newspaper interviews on corporal punishment which were broadcast on Kenya Television Network and the standard newspaper. The media had a lot of interest in the activities of the project and were instrumental in passing the message to the wider public.

3. Change of attitude among the teachers

There was great change of attitude among the teachers who have been trained on positive discipline methods. This came out in the discussions and way forward by the teachers during the training workshops. Most of them could not distinguish between punishment and discipline until after the training. They encouraged the project officers (trainers) to undertake a follow-up in their respective schools to assess progress of the implementation of the positive discipline methods.

4. Adequate time for trainings

Additional resources with support from Save the Children Sweden made it possible to conduct the second round training for 3-days as opposed to the initial 2-day training. This was adequate time to handle comprehensively all the relevant topics and other issues related to corporal punishment and positive discipline and come up with action plans.