Although, the government has put a blanket ban on the corporal punishment in the schools looking at the negative impacts on children's psychological, social, educational and physical well-being but what is imperative is to devise a mechanism to keep a check on these educational institutions making it sure that no entity is violating the provisions of the ban as it is detrimental for the children and can have adverse effects on the personalities of the future nation builders.
As reports have confirmed that some private schools in the Valley have been punishing their students during the prevailing heat wave by switching off the fans in the classrooms, there is a possibility that some of the sadistic elements may also indulge in punishing students by thrashing them and this makes it vital to ensure checks in schools to implement the aforesaid ban in letter and spirit. I
t is a proven fact that children victim of corporal punishment or abuse are more likely to develop mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, etc and therefore it is very important to create a set up where teachers cannot take any of such harsh steps having potential to ruin the lives of their pupils and also promote violence in the society as students who may face such kind of violence could promote the same in the coming times.
Children victimized by corporal punishment or abuse may have lower academic performance due to stress, anxiety, and disrupted learning environments as also the abused children are at a higher risk of dropping out of schools, because they may associate the educational setting with negative experiences.
All said and done, corporal punishment has numerous disadvantages, including fostering fear, resentment, and psychological trauma in children, which can hinder their emotional and educational development.
It is the right time for the J&K administration to address this issue by strictly implementing the ban on corporal punishment in all educational institutions. This can be achieved through regular monitoring, teacher training programmes on alternative disciplinary methods, and awareness campaigns highlighting the harmful effects of corporal punishment. By taking these steps, the government can create a safer and more supportive environment for students to thrive.
