what do you all say Spare the rod … ZOOM: + - Reset The Mongar court verdict, indicting a school principal to three months in prison for lashing a student, has once again thrust the controversial issue of corporal punishment in the forefront. The principal’s action was against the education policy, which is framed in accordance with the convention of the rights of the child. The child was the victim and the marks on his body spoke volumes. The statement the principal provided to the court was that it was the last resort. The Class IX student had not only mistreated a junior, but also not paid heed to the words of teachers, and further stoked the fire by bullying the student again. Following the verdict, teachers have taken to social media supporting the principal, but not his action. There are also those, who feel it was justice done, saying corporal punishment for whatever reasons should not be tolerated. Corporal punishment in schools is not an unusual development in Bhutan. In some schools, it is still accepted. It is quite common for parents, particularly in the rural areas, to ask teachers to beat their children if they do not study or behave. Dealing with a problem child can be exhausting, and it adds to a teacher’s burden of having to complete the syllabus, the stress of day-to-day activities, big classrooms, teacher shortage, and a large number of students with different tendencies, characters, outlook and abilities. There are people, who still feel that students are better controlled, learn appropriate appreciation for authority, and learn to discipline themselves when the stick is used. Some believe the removal has caused greater disciplinary difficulty in schools. But the education ministry has banned corporal punishment and the rule has to be respected. Corporal punishment is known to cause damaging effects on the physical and mental health of the child. It lowers their self-esteem and sense of confidence and security. That’s why many countries have banned it and teachers violating rules are punished. The education ministry has been strengthening its counselling unit. Punishment, it has been discussed, should stick to alternatives like detentions, warnings, suspensions, community services and even expulsion. On social media, some are questioning the message sent by the Mongar case. They feel, while the court has stuck to rules and policies, it has also given students across the country license to flaunt rules and take teachers to the edge of extreme. The parents of the student in Mongar filed the case, more out of worry that their child, in whom they have invested a good sum, would miss school. It has, however, brought to focus an issue that needs more debate, discussion and thought. While the education ministry has a discipline policy, it would do good to the sector to have a system of redress, an independent body that can take up the complaints and settle cases within the system.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:38:52 +0000
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