With another serious case of corporal punishment being reported in Bengaluru, we have to ask why the stakeholders—education officials, schools, teachers and parents—have not been able to put an end to the menace that is destroying childhoods in this country. In the latest incident, a Class 10 boy was beaten up so badly by his teacher that his eardrum was ruptured, and this happened during a special class conducted by the school during summer vacation, which itself is a violation.
Corporal punishment is meant to discipline children, but there is no tool more harmful to a child’s growth and development than this. Studies have shown it leads to low self-esteem, depression, suicidal tendencies and anti-social behaviour. Physical/mental harassment of students is prohibited as per the Right to Education Act, 2009, which made it a punishable offence, but the ban is only on paper as continuing incidents prove. Bengaluru has seen a surge in such cases. Though punitive action has been taken in many of the cases, including arrest and suspension of the teachers involved, it has not proved to be a deterrent. It is said two out of three school children suffer physical abuse in India.
The incidents can no longer be blamed on lack of awareness of the law. It’s the lack of enforcement and also poor understanding of the ill-effects of corporal punishment that is responsible. Even bodies tasked with the welfare of children are known to handle the cases badly. Panels set up to protect the rights of children at national and state levels need to be staffed with trained personnel who are sensitive to the needs of the children. Many such panels are headed by political appointees and lawyers with no training in handling children’s issues.
There is also a need to educate teachers and parents on why punishment is not a solution and teach them how to manage children without resorting to punishment. And there should be strict and effective action against those who impose such punishments on children.