Speaking at a recent event, Dr. Wijeyamuni explained that education is about scientifically shaping the human brain and developing an understanding of the world, rather than relying on punitive methods.
“When training horses, you reward correct actions and punish mistakes. But teaching humans is entirely different. Children often approach tasks more creatively than the teacher, and punishment is not fundamental to education. It is only relevant where animals are trained,” he said.
The Deputy Minister stressed that research confirms punishment is incompatible with effective education. He urged teachers to move beyond a narrow focus on the syllabus and instead foster creativity and innovation in their students.
