Cane and (Dis)able

The recent suicide of Rouvanjit Rawla, a class VIII student of La Martiniere School for Boys, Kolkata after being caned in school has once again brought the issue of corporal punishment in the spotlight, a practice which is still rampant in many schools. That a child should be driven to take this extreme step because of an archaic institution like caning is a matter of great concern. Reports of corporal punishment appear in the media with shocking frequency. This is surprising, considering the fact that the Supreme Court has outlawed corporal punishment years ago.

A recent survey by Outlook magazine throws up some interesting results. 73% parents say physical punishment has had no effect on children. Many believe that corporal punishment is just a case of a teacher not knowing what to do when the child doesn’t listen and so he falls back on beating the child. It does not in any way, make them more disciplined. The most common forms of punishment were being slapped or kicked, followed by beating with a stick, being pushed or shaken etc. Such punishments leave visible marks, as in injury, swelling or breeding. However, little gets known of the mental anguish that a child faces until it manifests into suicide or death.

However, there are always two sides to a coin. How should a teacher handle someone who breaks every rule? A teenager who just does not conform? This is a dilemma that confronts both teachers and parents. A misbehaving, naughty child may not comprehend the repercussions of his actions. So it is important to be in constant conversation with the child. The objective is to let him know the consequence of his actions. Creative methods of punishment like being barred from watching a favourite program on television or going out to play could be deployed if a mistake is repeated. But what should be emphasized is that at no stage can a child be beaten.

So what is the solution? How does one compensate for the loss of life, dignity of a child? The reason why schools have so much power is because there are such few of them and so many of us. Things will get better only when some balance is restored in the equation. New and better schools have to be opened to give the children the learning they are entitled to. New laws are certainly needed to make our teachers more accountable. We need to move away from the Victorian dictum “Spare the rod, spoil the child” and rephrase it as “Spare the rod, save the child”. Let’s give our children the education they deserve. Lets move towards a kinder garten.