POLICY RATIONALE

Navyabharathi Global School has a no corporal punishment view. 

POLICY OBJECTIVES

Ensure all teachers know and understand the policy against corporal punishment.

Make sure that all teachers are aware of the implications of any form of corporal punishment.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

Corporal punishment in this context is not just about caning but also refers to an assault on a person in any manner whatsoever. It also refers to violent shaking, torture, kicking, pinching, pulling of ears, poking with a finger, using a stick / cane / belt or any object designed to threaten students, or any other physical act which may cause discomfort to the learner.

In addition to the above a teacher may not:

• make any form of physical contact with a student.
• push or shove a student.
• kick or hit a learner.
• hit or smack a learner with any object.
• throw any object at a student.
• verbally abuse a student or their family members for example by saying “you are stupid” or “you look like a monkey” make any abusive remark to the student.

The prohibition of corporal punishment is not intended to encourage ill discipline or disorder in school. Instead, this is intended to encourage and inculcate a culture of non-violence; of resolving conflict through dialogue and discussion; of instilling a sense of responsibility; self-discipline and self-motivation amongst learners at the school. It is believed that this move will go some way in preparing our learners to be tomorrow’s parents who will embrace the principles of non-violence, non-racialism, and democracy, and thereby give practical meaning to the progressive Indian constitution.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADHERING TO POLICY

Hurting a child amounts to a crime and can make a person liable for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt under Sections 323 or 325 of the IPC; assault or criminal force under Section 352 IPC; criminal intimidation under Section 506 IPC; and under Section 305 of the Indian Penal Code.

Section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009, imposes an absolute bar on corporal punishment. It prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment to child and prescribes disciplinary action to be taken against the guilty person in accordance with the service rules applicable to such person. Section 75 of the JJ Act prescribes punishment for cruelty to child. Whenever a child is assaulted, abused, exposed or neglected in a manner to cause physical or mental suffering by any person employed by or managing an organization, which is entrusted with the care and protection of the child, the punishment would be rigorous imprisonment up-to five years and fine up-to Rs five Lakh. And, on account of the aforesaid cruelty, if the child is physically incapacitated or develops a mental illness or is rendered mentally unfit to perform regular tasks or has risk to life or limb, then imprisonment may extend up-to ten years.

In accordance with the Navyabharathi Global School Schools conduct manual the use of any corporal punishment will lead to immediate dismissal.

Any form of corporal punishment is against the law of the country and may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the individual.

AMENDMENTS TO POLICY

The School reserves its right to deviate from this policy if it deems it necessary or appropriate and to amend this policy from time to time in accordance with any changed policy considerations of the School or legal developments.