Corporal punishment must end says WCD ministry

Women and Child Development Ministry , corporal punishment, India, rules

The Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has urged schools to strictly observe Guidelines for Eliminating Corporal Punishment, issued by the National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) of WCD Ministry.

The Women and Child Development Ministry has asked the Ministry of Human Resource Development for wide spread circulation and implementation of the Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in schools.

This was done in the light of the recent disturbing incident of girl students who were meted out tormenting corporal punishment in the school for not completing their homework. The girls were reportedly made to remove their skirts by the school administration.

The incident was widely reported in the media, thereby bringing to public attention the issue of such punishment used in schools.

“Follow the guidelines on corporal punishment”

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) under the authority of Women and Child Development Ministry  has developed and issued Guidelines for Eliminating Corporal Punishment in schools.

In her letter to the HRD Minister, Prakash Javadekar, Women and Child Development Ministry headed by Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has expressed concern at the disturbing incident of corporal punishment in UP. “Corporal punishment has been banned under Section-17 of the RTE Act”, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said. She has urged the HRD Minister that the government as well as private schools may be suitably directed to ensure that these guidelines are strictly observed.

The Guidelines state constitution of Special Monitoring Cells to take prompt action in cases of physical punishment or harassment of children. They also suggest that Corporal Punishment Monitoring Cells (CPMCs) should hear grievances related to corporal punishment within 48 hours of the occurrence. The guidelines suggest that school teachers should provide a written undertaking that they would not engage in any action that could be construed as amounting to physical punishment, mental harassment or discrimination. It also says that schools should have annual social audits of physical punishment, harassment, and discrimination.

To check the guidelines, click here.