Miinister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday the time has come to have a "very serious" discussion on corporal punishment in schools.

Hanna-Martin was responding to a question about a recent incident where a police officer was called to a primary school on Bimini to discipline a group of boys.

One parent claimed her son was beaten so badly that his bruises were black and blue.

The Ministry of Education said an investigation into the incident was underway. The principal of the school was also placed on leave.

"Certainly, that was an incident that caused us concern and moved us to move immediately to address the status quo at that school," Hanna-Martin said.

Asked about the issue of corporal punishment and why an officer was called to discipline primary school students, Hanna-Martin said, "No one should have been called in.

"... The protocols around corporal punishment are well established. They are documented. They are in a manual and it does not include bringing a third party off a school campus to carry out discipline on a child.

"So the current policy allows for corporal punishment in limited circumstances and by a select individual or two on the school campus.

"But certainly, this incident that you refer to and generally the way that we are evolving and seeing how we address and deal with young people ... I think it does require a broader discussion now on the issue of corporal punishment."

She said a discussion on whether it is appropriate to discipline young people through corporal punishment or whether there are alternative measures which are effective is needed.

"So, currently, it is on the books, but I do believe that the time has come for a very serious discussion," Hanna-Martin said.

"Now I know I've heard the dialogue out there, spare the rod spoil the child. I note that there is a body of thought that this is appropriate. But there is also a body of thought that believes that it has deep historic roots in how we feel children should be treated and people in general."

In 2000, there was a heated debate on corporal punishment in The Bahamas after a student of SC McPherson Junior High School died.

The student, who had a heart disease, received six strokes with a stick in the palm of his hand. A shot time later, he fainted and died.

A jury in the Coroner's Court recommended that the teacher be charged with manslaughter. Following the decision, teachers across the country refused to enter the classroom, causing government schools to shut down for three days.

In 2001, the attorney general discontinued the case against the teacher.

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