Readers split over flogging

by AMANDA LYNCH-FOSTER

Digital Editor

TO BEAT or not to beat?

That was the question on our online edition yesterday as debate raged over the story of several St Leonard's Boys School students being flogged after arriving at school late.

Emotions ran high, with readers on both sides of the corporal punishment fence expressing strong opinions about the incident and about corporal punishment in general.

Several readers, particularly those in the Barbadian diaspora, were appalled at the semi-public flogging which was carried out at the school's entrance by senior teacher Dr Victor Agard.

"Barbaric, backwards and a human rights violation. Is this Barbadostan? When [were] the last public floggings? Is this a teacher or a Taliban leader? . . . The only purpose here is to rule through fear, intimidation, and embarrassment. I tip my hats to those kids who refused to take part in this barbaric act," declared one reader, Shocked In Canada.

Another reader, using the handle Proud Bajan Canadian/Ron expressed similar sentiments, writing:

"This flogging by the senior teacher is insane. He should be disciplined by the principal. If the principal [condones] this type of act, it should be behind closed doors. The days of flogging children at school should be abolished. There are other ways to punish for being late such as school suspension . . . This public view is ridiculous for overseas viewers."

100% Bajan In NY commented that "if it were my child being flogged in public, it would be lawsuits like peas" while New Jersey Gal termed the punishment "archaic in nature" and opined that "in some parts of the world that would be considered child abuse".

On the other hand, however, there was a strong show of support for Dr Agard's actions, with many readers singling him out for praise - one reader dubbed him "my hero" and declared that he should be considered "Teacher of the Year" for his disciplinary stand.

Other readers felt the same.

"Dr Agard, I salute you and please continue to give them a flogging. I know that those will never be late again," cheered Trolly.

". . . Dr Agard, when they are in your care, keep them disciplined," urged Baje In NY while Bajan In Canada thanked him "for having the courage to do the right thing not just for these particular students but for St Leonard's, our school system and our country".

In addition to praising the senior teacher, several other readers had tough words for the delinquent students, with many raising the point that school at St Leonard's begins at 7:50 a.m and the students had arrived after 10 a.m.

"Well I would say it's about time. When I see [the] students traipsing at not just minutes past 9 but all in half past, quarter to, and worse yet 10 or 11 [and] not just one or two that look like they could have some sort of excuse. It's nuff of them . . . If they learn that this lackadaisical attitude is alright, then of course when it comes to work, they aren't going to do anything at all," asserted Unimpressed.

"Bet he won't be late [any] more. I used to be flogged at school and it did not cause me any harm. Being late is disrespectful. Ten o'clock. What school was he going to?" questioned Bajan-ATL.

Another reader commented:

"I think that more schools should encourage the same. Turning up at 10 a.m. for school that started at 7:30 is blatant disrespect. This means that that student would have missed [two and a half hours] of the six-hour day - that is a lot and if a particular student is late everyday then it is possible that that child will become an under-achiever."