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Schools are taking a stand and devising ways to put a full stop to corporeal punishment which has left a scar on many students. The schools believe that by developing a friendly relationship between teacher and students, they can solve the issues pertaining to discipline amicably, and therefore bring an end to corporal punishment.
The decision came in the wake of the arrest of the principal and three teachers of La Martiniere School for boys, Kolkata, on charges of abetting the suicide of a class VIII student who was allegedly subjected to corporeal punishment.
Schools in the city have also come up with a set of strict rules to end corporeal punishment on their campuses. They have prepared a list of dos and don'ts to be followed by all teachers. The teachers found guilty of violating the rules will be severely punished. Many schools are already counselling teachers on how to deal with students.
"It's through love and friendship that teachers can win over students. Our teachers are friends to the students. Corporeal punishment is never practised here," said Manjula Raman, principal, Army Public School.
Echoing Raman, Archana Vishwanath, principal of Jain Heritage School said that the school has been strictly following a 'no corporeal punishment' policy since its inception.
"We conduct regular counselling for teachers. We actively engage students and teachers in one-on-one discussions to bridge the gap that may exist between them," she said.
Supreme Court had banned corporeal punishment in schools in 2000. The Section 17 of Right to Education Act, which came into effect on April 1, states : "No child shall be subjected to physical punishment and mental harassment".
Taking cognisance of the Kolkata-boy Rouvanjit Rawla suicide case, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has begun formulating stringent guidelines against corporeal punishment in schools.
The guidelines will examine ways to take penal action against such schools, award compensation to affected students, besides giving more teeth to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
However, Karnataka Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KCPCR) says that awareness holds the key to root out the practice from campuses. The commission has so far received five cases of corporeal punishment this year and they fear many more have gone unnoticed.
"As part of our awareness programme, we are asking schools to do everything to put an end to this menace," said Vasudev Sharma, member, KCPCR.
Students too hope that the practice would be banned in all schools. "Earlier, corporal punishments were common in schools. But today, the society is aware about the laws governing child rights and its implications," said Raja Hedge, a student of class IX, who did not wish to name his school.
"Corporeal punishment is not the solution for bringing discipline among children. A teacher should be a friend, philosopher and guide to students," said Tina Mathews, a student.
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