NCPCR Directs States: Check Corporal Punishment in Schools

Updates:

• NCPCR Directs States to Check Corporal Punishment in Schools (New Delhi, 15 Aug 07)
• Christian school Teacher cuts student’s hair as punishment! (Thane, 8 Aug 07)

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New Delhi: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed to the State Governments to take effective steps to check incidents of corporal punishment in school. Expressing concern over recent incidents of violence in schools, the Chairman of the Commission, Smt. Shantha Sinha, in a letter to the chief Secretary of State Government/UT has said that all forms of corporal punishment are a fundamental breach of human rights. Citing direction of the Supreme Court regarding the ban on corporal punishment in schools, she has said that the onus of responsibility in safeguarding children from punishment lies with the schools’ teachers, education administration at all levels as well as all those responsible for management equally.

She has directed that education departments of all the States should ensure the following: All children are to be informed they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bring it to the notice of the authorities. They must be given confidence to make complaints and not accept punishment as a normal activity of the school. Every school, including hostels, JJ Homes, shelter homes and other public institutions meant for children must have a forum where children can express their views. Such institutions could take the help of an NGO for facilitating such an exercise. A box where children can drop their complaints, even if anonymous has to be provided for in each school. There has to be a monthly meeting of the PTAs or any other body such as the SEC/VEC to review the complaints and take action. The PTAs are to be encouraged to act immediately on any complaints made by children without postponement of the issue and wait for a more grave injury to be caused. Parents as well as children are to be empowered to speak out against corporal punishment without any fear that it would have adverse effect on children’s participation in schools. The education department at all levels are to establish procedures for reviewing the responses to the complaints of children and monitor actions taken.

Source: www.pib.nic.in

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Christian school Teacher cuts student’s hair as punishment!

August 8, 2007

Thane (Maharashtra): Master Shyam Tarbez Qureshi, a 7th standard student of Holy Cross Convent at Mira Road was playing with his classmates during recess time. Sister Beena, Vice Principal of the school saw him playing mischief. She, therefore, caught hold of him and just anyhow cut his hair. This incident has enraged not only Shyam’s parents but also other parents of the students.
             
People are openly discussing on the above incident in the school. Students are now complaining that even earlier, the school has punished and terrorized students in this manner. After cutting his hair, Sister Beena made Shyam go to the classroom when his classmates started teasing him. This has caused mental stress to Shyam, claimed the father and President of Taximens’ union Mustaq Qureshi. When media persons approached the school, Sister Beena informed them that his hair was cut as it had grown. Shyam’s hair was, in fact, quite short and the reason given by the Sister does not appear to be very convincing. The school had not given any prior notice about his grown hair, informed Qureshi. It is observed that the school is now trying to cover up the whole issue.

(On a number of occasions, it has been found that Christian Schools are very harsh with students under the name of discipline; but the State Education Department has been turning a blind eye towards such incidents. People must boycott schools that harass students. – Editor)

Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’

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