KOCHI: The guidelines drawn by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on eliminating corporal punishment in schools have evoked mixed response from teachers, parents, educationists and psychologists. The guidelines fall under three categories - discrimination, mental harassment and physical harassment. The teachers under the general education department have welcomed the move. “The norms are child-centred. No case of corporal punishment has been reported from state schools. Students when guided with love and care will develop into mature human beings. Times have changed and the traditional concept of punishing students are passe. With the introduction of the new curriculum, teaching methodologies and approach have changed and we are only facilitators,” said P N Sajeevan, Kerala School Teachers Association state executive committee member. But T P M Ibrahim Khan, secretary, CBSE, ICSE School Management Association, believes otherwise.“This is a Utopian and unilateral suggestion. If a student is not punished lightly for his wrongdoings, he will not be able to discern right from the wrong. The guidelines should have been prepared after discussions with parents and teachers. There should be a controlling medium. An element of fear is necessary for character building. This will only destroy the Indian education system. If a bird is held tightly it will die but if it is held very loosely it will fly away,” Khan said.C J John, psychiatrist, Medical Trust Hospital, said: “The philosophy behind it is good but the guidelines appear to be an imaginary cane for teachers and givesan impression that schools are probably a place of harassment. The guidelines should focus on moulding a good teacher and bettering the educational process. Only if parents and teachers take the pains to explain the reason behind the punishment in a calm and cool atmosphere will it serve the purpose. But, usually parents and teachers express their ire and never bother to explain. That teachers play a tremendous role in character formation must be acknowledged and certain measures on child rights should be in place as students should enjoy school life. This may even lead to defensive teaching atmosphere where teachers may not be willing to take the risk and dissociate themselves from activities fearing litigation,” he said. Sadanandan K, general secretary, All-India Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers Association, Chennai Region, agrees. “Ever since some of our sincere teachers opted for voluntary retirement after they were given punishment transfers for lightly punishing unruly students, we stopped paying too much attention. When students misbehave, we discuss it with their parents.”Meanwhile, a parent feels that students should be punished for wrongdoing (not the harsh kind) which will help them discern virtues and vices and experience the painful side of life. “If they are not exposed to it, they may not be able to handle it when the situation arises,” a parent said.
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