Panaji: Goa Education Department has asked all the aided educational institutions to adopt zero tolerance towards corporal punishment to the students.
Director of Education Shailesh Zingde, in a circular issued on Monday, has said that all educational institutions must adopt and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards corporal punishment and any violation of this policy should be immediately addressed.
The circular comes at the backdrop of the recent arrest of two teachers for assaulting a nine-year-old student in the class. Both the women teachers were arrested and later released on bail by Goa police.
Zingde said 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,” he said.
The Director said that his department inclines to reiterate that section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009, imposes an absolute ban on corporal punishment.
“It prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment to child and prescribes disciplinary action to be taken against the guilty persons in accordance with the service rules applicable to such person,” he said.
Zingde said that section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act prescribes punishment for cruelty to 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, which is entrusted with the care and protection of children, the punishment would be rigorous imprisonment up to three years and fine up to Rs. 5,00,000 and on account of the aforesaid cruelty.
The Director has asked all the Educational Institutions in its jurisdiction to adopt Zero Tolerance Policy towards the corporal punishment.
He also said that the institutions should create awareness and training for the teaching and non-teaching staff.
The Director said that the school should have reporting mechanism for students to report any grievances related to corporal punishment. These complaints should be monitored diligently and immediate action must be taken.
He said that the schools should provide access to counselling services for students to promote a supportive and nurturing educational environment.
Zingde said that the Directorate of Education will conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with the above directives and if any institution found in violation wil face appropriate disciplinary action.
