CANING

       In Kenyan schools and even in Kenyan homes it is not uncommon for kids to be caned. Meaning the kids bend over and the teachers or parents whip their backs with a stick or hit the kids fingers with a stick. It's their way to reinforce discipline and instill respect. It has been going on for many many years and although it's illegal in Kenya, people do it all the same.  Most of the people who are doing it are older Kenyans, they grew up with it and they don't see anything wrong with it. The kids then get use to the thought that caning hurts but is just part of the cultural norms. The teachers and parents don't know how to discipline the kids any other way. During school they were taught that caning instills fear and fear equals respect. The majority of children in Kenyan schools are much more disciplined then the children in America. Even babies don't cry as much as they do in America. That might sound completely ridiculous but it's true! I sat for a 10hr bus ride from Machakos to Mombasa with two babies onboard. During that entire time frame, both babies cried once possibly twice and it was for such short increments of time. I don't know the parenting style of those babies homes and I'm not even sure caning was a part of it. But often, I do see parents run after a child when they are being bad with something in their hand looking like they are going to hit the child with that object. I haven't seen contact being made but it's the concept of instilling fear in a child so that they don't misbehave. But when I see children not crying for a 10hr bus ride or see how well the Children act in classrooms I can understand why people think that caning is effective and it is hard to teach them that there are other effective ways of disciplining a child.

            After having a long discussion with my host Mama about caning, as well as many many lessons on why there is caning in Kenya, how to prevent it, what to do if you see it happen. Is that they don't have anyone explaining or showing them alternatives in discipline and it takes much longer to teach a child to act right when your using behavior charts or positive/negative reinforcements like taking away recess when their bad and giving them a cool pencil at the end of the week if they are good. When caning, behavior management is much easier and quicker. Our teachers in the United States learn a much more in-depth understanding of learning styles, behavior, classroom management, etc.  then Kenya's teachers.

            I haven't herd that caning happens at my school but I haven't started school yet. I hope hope hope there won't be any but I will do what I can to help change it if I do see it happen at my school. I know many PCV's going to schools where there have been incidences of children getting pretty severally caned from teachers. It is a mind set that needs to be changed and one that is being addressed by many people. It will take time but it's always good to be aware of what is going on and do what you can when you have the opportunity.