Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Cruelties in schools' that was published in Newsband

Cruelties in schools

Physical abuse of school students is a big issue. We have to ensure the safety and security of children on campuses. This is the responsibility of both the teaching and non-teaching community.

The Union Women and Child Development Ministry banned corporal punishment in 2010, following the tragic death of a ward who was subjected to humiliation by the principal of a reputed Kolkata boys’ school. Spanking, caning and such-like physical and verbal abuses injure and insult victims. Such acts largely go unnoticed and unchecked.

There are many who feel that these are effective means to discipline wards. Publicising the guidelines among teachers, parents and children may influence positive behaviour. Training programmes ought to equip teachers with humane, practical and effective skills to deal with children within and outside classrooms.

Is it poor remuneration in many private schools and adverse conditions of service that provoke some teachers into abusing the students? Main reason behind the physical and emotional torture of students in schools by their teachers is the reason that teachers who are responsible for educating them are not doing their job by choice and will but they are doing it because of other influences like for money, family pressure etc. Because of their own unsatisfied life they become brutal and frustrated and their anger gives these inhuman results. These teachers do not care to channelize the students’ energies into constructive and meaningful avenues.

With universal free and compulsory education a legal right now such abuses in campuses should stop. If a teacher can't teach or isn't happy with the job then he or she should go for a job that he or she likes most rather than taking his or her frustration out on the young ones.

The one who needs training is not a child. It’s a teacher actually. Children are like raw materials - we can shape them the way we want provided the one who is shaping them for the future knows his/her responsibility. Many teachers today lack patience, understanding, empathy and even say knowledge. Apart from textbook qualification there must be a training of all teachers before joining to ensure their behavioral and understanding skills.

Most of the schools in India are run by corporate/rich people. They give less salaries to the teaching staff. Teachers are not trained in most of the cases. They often punish students. Parents committees are to be formed to check lapses. Further school going children are overburdened with school bags. This is causing health problems. Central board of higher education has formed guidelines to reduce back pack load. Children who carry school bags weighing more than 10% of their body weight have been found to have poorer lung function. HRD ministry may please make note of this and take the necessary actions in this direction.

The Right to Education Act did not change the scenario in the country where neglect and abuse of the students is a common phenomenon. Finding a good and effortless source of income, most of the leaders have launched their educational institutions and suck money without imparting education.

Now it is a need of the hour to eradicate the practice of lethargy in providing infrastructure and other facilities to the students, else the coming generation will not forgive the education mafias.