Panaji: The Directorate of Education has raised alarms over ongoing reports of corporal punishment in schools, despite existing bans. The department has directed all institutions to adopt a Zero Tolerance Policy towards corporal punishment. Such practices threaten students' physical and mental well-being and foster a hostile learning environment.
In accordance with Section 17 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, corporal punishment and mental harassment are strictly prohibited, with disciplinary actions to follow for any staff found guilty. Additionally, Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act imposes severe penalties for cruelty to children, including potential prison sentences of up to ten years for serious harm.
To combat these issues, the Directorate has mandated all schools to enforce a strict no-corporal-punishment policy and take immediate action against any violations. Schools must conduct regular training sessions for staff on positive disciplinary methods and establish clear channels for students to report incidents of corporal punishment, ensuring timely responses. They are also required to provide counselling services to foster a supportive school environment.
The Directorate will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance, and any school found violating these guidelines will face serious consequences.
