Landmark blanket ban on corporal punishment in Kashmir schools

SRINAGAR: In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the well-being and mental health of students, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has imposed a blanket ban on corporal punishment and other forms of child abuse in all educational institutions within the Kashmir Division.

The decision comes in response to distressing complaints which have been noted in the report received from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Kashmir (IMHANS-K), highlighting the adverse effects of corporal punishment on the mental health of school-going children.

The practice of corporal punishment, the directives issued noted, has been found to not only hinder the learning and development of affected students but also create an environment of fear and hostility within educational institutions.

Citing legal provisions, the DSEK emphasized that both the Right to Education Act of 2009 and the Juvenile Justice Act prohibit corporal punishment and impose stringent penalties on those found guilty of such acts.

To define corporal punishment more comprehensively, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines, DSEK said, state that it includes any action that causes physical harm, pain, hurt, or discomfort to a child.

This, the directives stated, includes actions such as hitting, kicking, scratching, and using various implements like canes, belts, and shoes, among others. The guidelines also stress the importance of recognizing mental harassment, which can be detrimental to a child’s academic and psychological well-being, and provide examples of such behaviours.

The circular issued in this regard, further stressed that any form of corporal punishment, including mental harassment, is entirely unacceptable under any circumstances, noting that such brutal treatment cannot be justified as a means of discipline.

In place of punitive measures, the DSEK has underlined preventive measures, such as emphasizing the importance of rules, promoting healthy relationships between students, teachers, and staff, and recognizing that unwanted behaviour often indicates a need for guidance rather than punishment.

The authorities have directed all school heads, teaching officials, and authorities, both in government and private educational institutions, to strictly adhere to the ban on corporal punishment and any form of abuse outlined in the NCPCR guidelines.

Deviations from these directives, DSEK underlined, will be dealt with seriously, and violators will face strict punitive measures based on the severity of the offence.

Additionally, Chief Education Officers, Cluster Heads, Zonal Education Officers, and Headmasters of both high schools and middle & primary schools (both government and private) have been explicitly instructed to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the ban within their respective domains.