Tamil Nadu School Education Department released Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools (GCEP). These guidelines focus on protecting the physical and mental well-being of students and to prevent any form of harassment of students. Abolish corporal punishment.
Main guidelines
- The objective of these guidelines is to create a safe and developmental environment for students by eliminating physical punishment, mental harassment and discrimination.
- GECP also includes safeguarding the mental health of students and organizing awareness camps to familiarize stakeholders with the guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
- GECP entails the establishment of monitoring committees comprising school principals, parents, teachers and senior students in each school to monitor the implementation of the guidelines and resolve any issues.
- The GECP also lists positive actions against corporal punishment, including multidisciplinary interventions, life-skills education and mechanisms for children’s complaints.
Corporal punishment
- Corporal punishment is defined by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child as “any punishment that uses physical force and is intended to cause some degree of pain or distress to the child, regardless of the severity of the punishment.” Why not make it simple?”
- According to the committee, this mostly involves hitting (beating, slapping) children with hands or sticks, belts etc.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical or corporal punishment is highly prevalent in both homes and schools globally.
- About 60% of children aged 2 to 14 years are regularly physically punished by their parents or other caregivers.
- There is no statutory definition of ‘corporal punishment’ for children in India.
- types of corporal punishment
- Corporal punishment as defined by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) includes any act that causes pain, injury or harm to a child.
- This includes forcing children to sit in uncomfortable positions such as making them stand on benches, in chair-like positions against a wall, or with school bags on their heads.
- It also includes practices like putting hands on legs and holding ears, sitting on knees, force-feeding and confining children to closed spaces within the school premises.
- Mental abuse refers to non-physical abuse that adversely affects the academic and psychological well-being of children.
- This form of punishment includes behavior such as scolding, intimidating and using derogatory comments using sarcasm, abusive and insulting language.
- It also includes actions such as ridiculing, insulting or embarrassing the child, causing emotional distress and creating a problematic environment.
Justification of corporal punishment
- Currently, corporal punishment in schools is legally permitted in 22 US states.
- Some sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 provide grounds for corporal punishment.
- Section 88 “provides protection for acts done by consent in good faith and for the benefit of any person, which do not cause death.”
- Section 89 protects acts done in good faith by or with the consent of a guardian for the benefit of a child or person of unsound mind.
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: The term “best interests of the child” refers to section 2(9), which states that while taking decisions, consideration should be given to the identity, physical, emotional and intellectual development of the child, At the same time, their basic rights and needs, which impact them, should be kept in mind.
- effects of corporal punishment
Mental health
- Increased anxiety and depression: Physical punishment can cause children to feel unsafe, scared and uninterested in the environment. This may increase mental anxiety and depression in them and their academic performance may deteriorate in the future.
- Low self-esteem: Children who are physically or mentally punished may develop low self-esteem and a negative sense of self-worth.
- Aggression and violence: Children who witness violent acts are more likely to be aggressive or violent when they grow up. The child may also develop a feeling of vengeance against his classmates and teacher.
- Difficulty with relationships: Children who experience physical punishment may have difficulty forming working relationships with others.