A teacher from a school at Poinguinim in Canacona reportedly thrashed a student for allegedly failing to participate in a cleanliness drive. Incidentally teachers beating up students has become a common feature in schools. It is pertinent to note that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 prohibits ‘physical punishment’ and ‘mental harassment’ under Section 17(1) and makes it a punishable offence under Section 17(2). The time has come to re-examine the saying 'spare the rod and spoil the child'. Children not only carry an overload of text-books and note-books on their tender backs, but bear the brunt of canes on flimsy grounds like not tying the shoelaces properly. Punishment may deter a child from repeating acts of indiscipline to some extent, but it cannot improve the child’s understanding of the subject or make him intelligent. The punishment of such kind leads to creating anger, resentment and low self-esteem. It teaches them violence and revenge as solutions to problems, since children tend to imitate adults. Fear can make the child an introvert and can lead to withdrawal from society. If the reaction is hatred, the child starts hating school and society. If anger is the reaction, an angry young man will take birth. All this can lead to antisocial behaviour later on in life.
