Corporal punishment in schools

Children have a right to learn without violence in any school, whether they are in a public, private, government-subsidised or faith-based institution. Corporal punishment violates children’s rights and research shows it can impede learning and contribute to school drop-out. A school culture that ensures a safe, respectful environment for everyone benefits students, teachers and the wider community. Transforming school culture to protect children from corporal punishment starts with law reform.

A summary of global progress to end corporal punishment in schools was published in July 2019 by the Global Initiative to End all Corporal Punishment of Children.

The Global Initiative maintains detailed reports on corporal punishment in every state and territory worldwide, setting out the legality of corporal punishment in each setting – the home, alternative care, day care, schools and penal systems – as well as relevant recommendations made under the Universal Periodic Review and by UN and regional treaty bodies, and summaries of recent prevalence or attitudinal research.

See global overview on progress in regions and countries.