Here, in Ghana, I often see adults with a stick in hand, ready to discipline a wayward child. Caning is an acceptable form of discipline, even in schools. But, some schools are trying to get away from that type of punishment. If a child gets in trouble, they may have to pick rocks up from an area on the school grounds that is in the process of being cleared. Weeding is another punishment that is given. Try weeding in the sun when the temperature is in the 90s. No fun at all! Digging a hole for whatever is needed is also a punishment that is used. Also, sending a child to fetch water can be a disciplinary action. There are so many "manual labor" kinds of punishment that I have heard of and seen.
Recently, while traveling, I saw all these school children kneeling on the dry, hard ground, in the scorching sun. They knelt there for several minutes. I had never seen that before, so I asked about it. It was corporate punishment - punishment for the entire school! People would walk up and down the lines of the students, making sure they were in the correct position. The students had to remain there until the signal was given to get up. Caning was no longer allowed at this school, so this form of punishment was being used.
Hmmm...makes one wonder about the consequences of one's actions!
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
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