Taking a serious view of the increasing incidence of violence on children in schools, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has expanded the definition of corporal punishment and included “small acts” like making a student kneel down or stand for hours or slapping him.

NCPCR chairperson Shantha Sinha has written to all chief secretaries recommending that there should be no gradations while judging corporal punishment and noted that “small acts” should not be condoned as they actually lead to gross violations.

The Commission has enlisted rapping on the knuckles, making students kneel down or stand up for long hours, sitting like a chair and beating up with a scale, pinching and slapping, locking up student alone in classrooms and making a child run in the school ground as forms of corporal punishment.

Citing direction of the Supreme Court regarding ban on corporal punishment in schools, Ms Sinha said that the onus of responsibility in safeguarding children from punishment lies with the schools’ teachers, education administration at all levels as well as all those responsible for management equally. 

According to the NCPCR directive the education departments of all the States should ensure that children are informed that they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bring it to the notice of the authorities.

“Every school, including hostels, JJ Homes, shelter homes and other public institutions meant for children must have a forum where children can express their views.  Such institutions could take the help of an NGO for facilitating such an exercise,” the directive said. Further, a box where children can drop their complaints, even if anonymous has to be provided for in each school,” it said.

It also suggested that there should be a monthly meeting of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or any other body to review the complaints and take action. The Commission has also asked the States to intimate action taken regarding above directions within two months.

Among the more serious forms of violence against children that the Commission has taken note of are child sexual abuse, torture, and electric shocks.

Even the National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of cases of corporal punishments given to students in UP and  AP, and it had sent notices to the authorities seeking clarification.