Corporal Punishment Use at Arab Schools in Jerusalem and Teachers' Attitudes Towards it

Abstract

This study examined the use of corporal punishment at
Arab schools in Jerusalem, and teachers' attitudes towards it as well
as any significant differences in those attitudes with regard to
gender, specialization, stage, years of experience, and supervising
body. A stratified random sample of 474 teachers was selected from
Jerusalem Arab schools; a 46-item questionnaire was used to collect
data. Results showed that corporal punishment was used by 62.8% of
teachers, of which 17.7% used it regularly. Results also showed that
higher percentages of corporal punishment use were associated with
male teachers, basic schools, and formal (Israeli-directed) schools.
Of the reasons for corporal punishment use, educational and
discipline-related reasons came first. Moreover, results showed that
Arab teachers had neutral attitudes toward corporal punishment use
in genral, and that there were no significant differences in their
attitudes due to stage, specialization, and supervising body, while
significant differences were shown with regard to gender and years
of experience.