Corporal punishment of children in St Lucia

Some schools are part of the UNICEF child friendly schools initiative and do not use corporal punishment.7 However, corporal punishment is lawful in these and all schools under the right of teachers “to administer reasonable punishment” under section 50 of the Education Act 1999: “(1) In the enforcement of discipline in public schools, assisted schools and private educational institutions, degrading or injurious punishment shall not be administered. (2) Corporal punishment may be administered where no other punishment is considered suitable or effective, and only by the principal, deputy principal or any teacher appointed by the principal for that purpose, in a manner which is in conformity with the guidelines issued in writing by the Chief Education Officer. (3) Whenever corporal punishment is administered an entry must be made in a punishment book which shall be kept in each school for such purpose indicating the nature and extent of the punishment and the reasons for administering it. (4) A person other than those mentioned in subsection (2) who administers corporal punishment to a student on school premises commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.” Section 51 gave the Minister the power to suspend or abolish corporal punishment in public schools and assisted schools.