Adopt zero tolerance to corporal punishment in state: Edu dept

Panaji: The directorate of education (DoE) has called for a zero-tolerance policy against corporal punishment in schools, expressing concern over several cases coming to light in recent months. It has issued a circular asking schools to conduct teacher training to prevent such cases.
The directorate of education has directed schools to establish a transparent mechanism for students to report any grievances related to corporal punishment.These complaints should be monitored diligently, and immediate action must be taken.
“It has come to the attention of the directorate that despite existing regulations, several instances of corporal punishment in schools have been reported. This is a matter of grave concern as it directly affects the physical and psychological well-being of students and also hinders the learning and development of the affected children,” it said.
It also creates an environment of fear and hostility within the educational institution itself, the circular stated.
The directorate said that schools should provide access to counselling services for students to promote a supportive and nurturing educational environment. Periodic audits should be conducted to ensure compliance with these directives, and if an institution is found violating the directive, it will face appropriate disciplinary action.
The directorate of education reiterated that Section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009, imposes an absolute ban on corporal punishment, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act also prescribes punishment for cruelty to a child whenever a child is assaulted, abused, exposed, or neglected in a manner to cause physical or mental suffering by any person employed by or managing an organisation that is entrusted with the care and protection of children.
“The punishment would be rigorous imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to Rs 5,00,000, and on account of the aforesaid cruelty, if the child is physically incapacitated or develops a mental illness or is rendered mentally unfit to perform regular tasks or has a risk to life or limb, then the imprisonment may extend up to ten years,” the circular to schools states.
“All educational institutions must adopt and enforce a zero tolerance policy towards corporal punishment, any violation of this policy should be immediately addressed. Schools are directed to organize regular training sessions and workshops for teaching and non-teaching staff to emphasise positive and constructive disciplinary practices,” the schools have been told.
The circular also states that heads of all govt, govt aided, unaided primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools must circulate the guidelines to their teaching and non-teaching staff and advise them “to refrain from inflicting corporal punishment on students and also emphasize that deviation in this regard will be dealt seriously and strict measures will be taken against the violators as per law”.
It prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment to the child and prescribes disciplinary action to be taken against the guilty persons in accordance with the service rules applicable to such person.