Students distressed, parents aghast as schools switch off fans, cancel sports

Srinagar, Aug: The harsh punishment given to the students as a disciplinary action in schools is leaving students distressed and parents aghast.

The incidents of harsh punishments are reported despite the “zero tolerance policy” adopted by the School Education Department (SED) towards such practices.

Complaints have been pouring in, highlighting the inhumane treatment meted out to the students, particularly in the private schools, where disciplinary measures often cross ethical boundaries.

According to the parents, some schools have resorted to punitive actions such as turning off fans during the sweltering summer heat as a response to students making noise in the classrooms.

“It is extremely inhumane to treat small children like this,” said a parent.

The parent said that the prevailing heatwave poses serious health risks to the small children.

They termed it “inhumane, unjustified and uncalled for behaviour” on the part of the schools.

The parents complained that the students were being punished by cancelling their sports periods and lunch breaks.

In one particular incident, a student was reprimanded for bringing a basketball to school.

The teachers, deeming this act as indiscipline, not only confiscated the sports equipment but also banned lunch breaks and sports period as a form of collective punishment.

The parents have complained that such draconian measures could have a long-term psychological impact on their children.

“Subjecting students to such ill-treatment can turn them aggressive and lead to victimisation,” said a parent expressing concern over the impact of such treatment meted out to small children.

“Such kind of punitive actions are counterproductive and violate the fundamental rights of the children.”

These distressing reports come at a time when the School Education Department (SED) asserts its commitment to a “zero tolerance policy” against such harsh punishment.

The department has previously claimed to implement the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines aimed at eliminating corporal punishment and child abuse in schools.

The initiative was taken in 2016 wherein all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of all the districts were directed to take strict action against any reports of such harsh punishment given to the children.

However, the recent complaints of harsh punishment indicate that such incidents continue to occur but go unnoticed or unreported.

The aggrieved parents urged the SED authorities to intervene to address these grievances and ensure that the students were not subjected to harsh punishments.

President of Private School Association J&K (PSAJK), Ghulam Nabi Var told Greater Kashmir that no school should be allowed to give harsh punishment to the students.

“There are other means to maintain discipline in an educational institution. Going harsh with the student is not an option,” Var said.

He said that in case of any incident of indiscipline, the teachers can communicate with the parents of the students instead of going harsh with the student.