Teachers in Idukki district of Kerala will henceforth have to think twice before caning or even pinching students. Chances are that their actions will land them in prison for up to six months without bail.

In an attempt to make schools and homes “horror-free” for young minds, Idukki district has just been declared the country’s first child-friendly district, which means that beating, pinching or publicly insulting children will all be seen as offences. “Punishing students physically will harm their behavioural formation and personality development. What we need are teachers and schools which do not beat up children,’’ said Santha Sinha, chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights after making the formal declaration at Thodupuzha.

Condemning the incidence of corporal punishments in schools, she said the commission has defined the corporal punishment as any act of violence “wherein the child feels loss of dignity.”

According to her, any physical harassment and punishing of children will attract strong action from now on.

District-level child welfare councils will not only monitor any offence of this kind committed in homes, schools or at a public place but also take them up legally. Complaints of any harassment can be submitted before the council by any person. Cases will be registered under the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act. 

“Parents and teachers should also learn to cope with the difficulties of children who have behavioural problems,’’ said Tajmol, chairperson of Kerala State Council for Child Welfare.

BEd TTC holders who qualify as teachers in Kerala were given awareness classes as a prelude to declaring the district as child-friendly.