We are surprised over the recent statement on behalf of the Private School teachers community that Corporal Punishment should be re-introduced. This has been claimed as a measure of self defence by the teachers in the light of the stabbing incident of last week. The reason for the demand they say is that due to withdrawal of corporal punishment, children have lost respect to the teachers and therefore are daring to indulge in such activities.
Let us be fair to these representatives of teachers and think that in this moment of grief, their good sense had withdrawn from them.
Let us hope that they understand that corporal punishment only teaches violence to children and justifies it.
Let us hope that the teaching community will realise that what the students respect is only love and knowledge.
Let us hope that the teaching community will admit that even after ban on corporal punishments, still there are cases in schools where the teachers do not adher to the ban and terrorise the students. Every case does not get reported or complained against only due to fear on the part of the student and parent that it should not worsen.
Most importantly, let us hope that they understand the statement of Kural that a tongue lash is harsher than a burn injury since the tongue lash will not heal while the burn may. Particularly adolescent children get affected by even a look or word - this is more so in the case of girl children.
Proper interaction between parents and Teachers, proper handling of children psychologically without hurting them but at the same time making them realise that any comments or advices are only for their well being, re-introduction of moral value education, proper facilities for physical training and games atleast two hours in a week to enable them to ventilate mind and rejuvenate body, etc would be some solutions to bring down a violent atmosphere in the school campuses. Not increasing it by teacher sponsored violence.
Every school should have an annual refresher course for the teaching staff to enable them to handle the children of the coming generations in a rational, sympathetic and decent way.
These are not in any way to substitute the necessity for the Parents to have a close, loving and watchful attitude towards their children.
While praying for the slain teacher, let us hope that we all learn from this tragedy also.
Most of the social problems remain unsolvable because of the We-vs-them stance that we fall for. Teachers, Principals & education officers are parents too, and any legislation which is pro-educators, but anti-children, should be looked at as something which will affect all children (including their own) and future generations too. Decision made for self-interest, which are not for public good, will only blow in our own face in the long term.
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