NEW DELHI: A National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) survey, aimed at eliminating corporal punishment in schools, has found that even kids in the age group of 3-5 were not spared of punishment by teachers and there was prevalence of cruel forms of punishment such as giving electric shocks to children.
Following the survey findings, the NCPCR has issued guidelines specifying that all school children should be informed through campaigns and publicity initiatives that they have a right to speak against physical punishment, mental harassment and discrimination.
The guidelines include measures for affirmative action in schools towards positive development of children, for positive engagement with children, for creating an environment conducive to learning and for mechanisms and processes to give children a voice and engage in the process of creating a healthy environment as well as for accountability and multi-sectoral responsibility.
The guidelines also recommended that an environment free of corporal punishment should be stipulated as one of the conditions for giving recognition to schools by the State governments.
Neela Gangadharan, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, said “The release of the guidelines is both timely and relevant. The children of our country should also enjoy the fruits of development. The ministry recognises that violation of child rights is not only the violation of human rights but also a largely underreported obstacle to a child’s development.”