NEW DELHI: Concerned at a recent incident of corporal punishment in Uttar Pradesh, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has urged schools to strictly observe guidelines for eliminating corporal punishment.
Gandhi also wrote a letter to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar asking that the government, as well as private schools, may be suitably directed to ensure that these guidelines are strictly observed.
The guidelines have been issued by the National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) of WCD Ministry.
“Corporal punishment has been banned under Section-17 of the RTE Act,” she said.
The WCD Ministry has asked the MHRD for widespread circulation and implementation of the Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in schools.
This was done in the light of the recent disturbing incident of girl students who were meted out tormenting corporal punishment in the school for not completing their homework.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) under the authority of Ministry of Women & Child Development has developed and issued Guidelines for Eliminating Corporal Punishment in schools.
The guidelines state constitution of special monitoring cells to take prompt action in cases of physical punishment or harassment of children.
They also suggest that Corporal Punishment Monitoring Cells (CPMCs) should hear grievances related to corporal punishment within 48 hours of the occurrence.
The guidelines suggest that school teachers should provide a written undertaking that they would not engage in any action that could be construed as amounting to physical punishment, mental harassment or discrimination.
It also says that schools should have annual social audits of physical punishment, harassment and discrimination.