CHANDIGARH: Haryana Government has decided to ban corporal punishment in its schools in view of increasing number of beating of students by teachers.

Director general, education, Haryana has, through a letter to all district education officers, directed them to put a blanket ban on corporal punishment in schools as it is manifestation of a culture of violence and insensitivity to children and their rights.

The Supreme Court, taking note of several incidents of violence on children, such as death of a student two days after the school teacher beat him up in Rajasthan and a case of giving electric shock to a student in Andhra Pradesh, has banned corporal punishment for children from December 1, 2007.

The DG education in his instructions has added another special instruction. According to this, all schools and educational institutions are to put up a complaint box where children can drop their complaints, even if anonymous. The DG’s instructions give right to students to make complaints against corporal punishment and not accept punishment as a normal activity of the school.

Besides, stress has been put on holding parent-teacher monthly meetings to review the complaints and action taken.

Parents have welcomed the instructions, putting a ban on corporal punishment in schools. It’s a fine decision but needs to be implemented strictly, said Vishal Chhibber, father of a student.

On the other hand, teachers have also welcomed the move but expressed apprehensions that parents might blackmail teachers taking support of the new guidelines empowering students and their parents. No teacher wants his student to do poorly. If a teacher gives punishment to his student, he does so for the betterment of student, said a teacher.