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Removing CP from schools a bad idea - Bishop John I. Cline

Bishop John I. Cline does not believe that removing corporal punishment from schools in the Virgin Islands is a good idea. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Bishop John I. Cline of New Life Baptist Church believes the amendment Government plans to make with regard to the removal of corporal punishment from schools is a risky one which will not make the Territory better off.

Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn is expected to bring to the House of Assembly tomorrow June 13, 2014 a motion seeking to have the Bill which seeks to amend the Education Act passed.

It is expected that this Bill is taken through its second and third readings on the sitting tomorrow – the Seventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly. This amendment is expected to remove paragraphs that speak about corporal punishment in the principal act.

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online today, Bishop Cline said he had “mixed feelings” on the matter.

“I have mixed feelings on it. In the days of old when corporal punishment was [not only allowed but expected], I think we raised a generation that was more responsible and more respectful when they knew that there was a consequence to their ill behaviour,” said Bishop Cline.

“I think holding a child responsible for their behaviour, even to the point where they are corrected with a spanking, is still valid,” he said.

“The other side to it is of course, I understand the Minister wants to be in line with international laws, especially being a part of the UK and all of that, and today because we are raising children and parents are not open to you correcting their child with a spanking, it becomes very risky for educators to now take that upon themselves when they know there is a possibility of not having the backing of the parents,” he said.

“In the days when it was allowed and expected, we had no recourse in terms of going home and complaining to our parents and expecting to find any justice there,” he recalled.

“Because you were in their control for the great part of your day…the teacher became the parent and the educator. [The child’s] parent would back the teacher on whatever the teacher deemed the best course of action for correction,” said Bishop Cline.

He said that the situation puts the education department and the educator at risk of lawsuits “because of the world that we live in.”

24 Responses to “Removing CP from schools a bad idea - Bishop John I. Cline ”

  • facts man (12/06/2014, 14:48) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply

    Everything M..on does is just wrong and pi...s off a lot of people even B...op who is NDP

  • I agree! (12/06/2014, 15:01) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    I agree with you Bishop Cline!
  • rattie (12/06/2014, 15:08) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Am I reading correctly? He is oppose to an NDP????
  • look around (12/06/2014, 15:25) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    It's amazing how we are adopting everything from everywhere and not focusing on the context we live in. I think CP is necessary. I personally feel that it should not be removed if we don't want the teachers to spank our students then the principals should have the authority. Taking CP out of schools is carrying us further down a disastrous road within the confines of our education system.

    Do some research and take a look at the school systems regionally and internationally.
    • Meli (13/06/2014, 09:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @look around - Actually only the Principal or Deputy Principal are authorized to administer corporal punishment. The nature, extent and reason for the punishment should also be kept in a register.
  • concerned..... (12/06/2014, 15:42) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did you get caned as a young person...Is it right to humiliate, rather than time out for the young...and for the older people (youth) have them do something constructive and gain pride in themselves....?
  • mother (12/06/2014, 16:24) Like (30) Dislike (6) Reply
    I am an educated, respectful, professional who is totally balanced and successful. In my youth, my mother and father loved me and provided well for me, but when I was out of line they had no problem taking a belt or a whip to my behind. I have 4 very successful well adjusted children and I took the belt, the whip and a fist here and there when it was absolutely necessary. The upside is that we had discussions about their behaviour, and the consequences was the punishment that I inflicted. I never broke any bones or cause any physical harm that required medical attention, just the burning of the licks on their behinds. My children laugh now and when they see children behaving badly, they say, "They should have had our mother". Everything we see other countries do we want to adopt it here, whether it is good, bad or indifferent. We need to get back to basics and what worked for us. Parents today go to the schools to fight their children teachers. When I was going to school and teacher Willard give me some leather straps in my palm, I did not dare go home and tell my parents. That would have meant another cut a$$. This is why the whole world is going to HELL. The children today have no respect for man, woman or God. Keep Corporal Punishment in the schools, and also in the homes, and use it when necessary.
    • for real (13/06/2014, 21:38) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
      You are blessed to live where you are living, because you would spending time behind bar for your so call way to punish children, there are other ways to correct children my dear!
      • mother (16/06/2014, 13:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @for real
        My dear of my four children, the three older ones grew up in USA and was schooled in USA. So I did not live in BVI when my children were growing up. And like I said before, they are educated professionals in the careers they have chosen. So who ever you are "For Real" spare the rod and spoil the child. You sound like one of those parents who will be visiting your children Balsam GUT.
  • tola (12/06/2014, 16:47) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply

    We are following too much international rules and laws.these big countries only out to keep us down and we falling for their s..t all the time keep corporal punishment and bring it back for the prison system to

  • Eh? (12/06/2014, 18:46) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    REMOVING NDP FROM OFFICE IS A DAMN GOOD IDEA!

    WTF, IT IS A GREAT IDEA!

    TOO MANY PROBLEMS AND NO SOLUTIONS.
  • dfr (12/06/2014, 18:56) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    There are many ways to discipline kids without resorting to CP. This is archaic . There is no study that shows that CP enforcement results in better students. FYI I went to a Catholic high school and when I look back those in charge abused the system and always punished the same individuals . You should train your school leaders to recognize problematic kids and handle accordingly.
  • GRANNY (12/06/2014, 22:42) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    "spear the rod and spoil the child"
  • Streups (12/06/2014, 23:44) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    Maybe this man is in need of some corporal punishment himself. Maybe he should move to Iran, North Korea or some other country that has no respect for human rights.
  • she the cat mother (13/06/2014, 00:22) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    such stupid mistake deeds guys keep makin
  • Village Girl (13/06/2014, 01:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is fascinating (in a morbid way) to watch the battle between these NDPs
  • Forgetful (13/06/2014, 06:38) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP gone mad, some of them need corral punishment them selves, and some of them who have kids. This is sad how this country is being taken.
  • woow strange (13/06/2014, 09:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    scrpt.. says spear the rod,and spoil the child, like the rod have become more inportant than the welfare of the child , i am not sirprize but its a amazing , becuase those people who are making these laws are people who got beaten and corrected themself when they step out of line, that is caribben parents ways and we all kno that because all of get our share of beating , including them and that what got them were they are today, we have adopted the american life styles anything they drink, eat, do ,and say we want, following that backsliding nation ,(my God)
  • niky (13/06/2014, 09:29) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    he needs some cp himself.some time back he walked into my work please and looked at everybody and never say good afternoon.when you have those in high places think that they are better then you the little man that put them there what do you expect from their off springs? he has no manners. who dont like it lump it.
    • bvi (13/06/2014, 09:53) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Schupes. Looks like you does eat and drink "good morning or good afternoon". John is one of the most humble, manner able person I know. Go sit down with your jealous self.
    • That's not him (13/06/2014, 11:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      You don't know him or you would not have said that. If he did not say good morning, then you could have said it and he would have said it back to you with a smile. His mind was perhaps elsewhere but I am sure it was not his intention.
  • Why (13/06/2014, 11:21) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    why beat them? they are not slaves! find an alternate way of "correcting" and not "punishing" them. The mind set has to change .the system has to change. if cp was working so well wouldn't the world be a better place. i mean seriously! try something different!
  • shaw (13/06/2014, 11:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    respect begins at home. Children learn whether adults are trust-worthy or not, and if there is a problem, verbal discussion is first. Those charged with disciplining children may have a different style or even agenda in punishment than the parent. If a child gets hit and abused at home, then goes to school and acts out because he is angry, a good teacher would try to find out why-- not just add to the hitting. And you wonder why crime is up. Also, the adults in power are not good role models right now what with the corruption charges in government over the cruise ship project. The bigger point is where do children feel safe?
  • for real (13/06/2014, 21:26) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    I'm stocked, I can believe what I'm reading. This method of disciplining still exists. Parents should not hit and abuse children must less teachers in school. That's is a NO NO.


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