Demand for corporal punishment-free schools through RTE

Students, teachers and educationists unanimously demanded that the state frame rules under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act to make schools free of corporal punishments and mental harassment to children.

People raised the demand at a public hearing organized by Mathews Philip, representative appointed by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for Karnataka to monitor the implementation of RTE Act, at the SDM Law College here on Friday.

Mathews said that no child shall be subjected to physical punishments or mental harassments under Section 17 (1) of the RTE Act. Similarly, the Section 17 (2) of the Act specifically directs higher authorities to recommend disciplinary action against errant teachers or head of the institutions. Further, parents also can approach the child welfare committee under the Juvenile Justice Act, if a child was subjected to physical or mental torture in an institute.

A majority of the participants demanded that infrastructure be provided and quality of education be ensured in all government schools. Revision of curriculum, inclusion of moral education in curriculum, appointment of teachers for special children, filling all vacant posts of teachers, formation of RTE Act monitoring committees at Panchayat levels, abolition of rank system in private schools and making local governments more responsible towards education are some of the major suggestions put forth by participants in the consultation.

Mathews said that he would hold consultations in all districts in the state in the days to come. A consolidated file of suggestions will be submitted to the NCPCR, he said and added that a copy of the file will also be submitted to minister for primary and secondary education Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.