The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of corporal
punishment on eradication of truancy in community secondary schools in Magu
district. The study was guided by three objectives that are: to examine the magnitude
of truancy in community secondary schools in Magu district. Secondly was to
identify types of corporal punishments commonly applied in community secondary
schools in the study area, and the last was to establish a relationship between
corporal punishments and increased truancy in community secondary schools.
Methods used to collect data were questionnaires, interviews, focused group
discussions, and documentary analysis. The study found that,using corporal
punishments as means to eradicate truancy in community secondary schools is not
effective, since the magnitude of truancy keeps increasing as teachers continued
using it. Also, it was revealed that corporal punishments cause fears and low self
confidence for one to continue with schooling. Moreover corporal punishment
creates a big gap between teachers and students hence results to poor students’
learning. Amongst types of corporal punishments used canes was found being
popularly used than other types such as collecting stiff sand, slashing tall grasses and
pulling out trees. Finally the study recommended on improving parent and
community involvement in schools’ problems, use of other proactive approaches
such as guidance and counselling, use of participatory methods of teaching, and
increase of extracurricular activities in schools.