Beat pupils at your own risk: UP govt

The UP government has decided to include a provision under the Right to Education Act which provides for action against the erring teachers.

“The teachers, who physically punish the children, will be acted against. They may be suspended and their services may also be terminated,” officials of the basic education department here said.

The Basic Education Officers (BSA) have been empowered to take steps to rein in the private schools as well.

“They (BSA) will have the authority to investigate complaints received from the parents and take necessary action against the teacher if they are found to be true,” the officials said. The new regulations will also provide for action against the concerned school management. “If such incidents (corporal punishment to the children) occur in a school twice or more... its recognition may be withdrawn,” the officials added.

The new regulations will soon be put before the state cabinet and would come into force after its assent, they pointed out. The basic objective behind making these provisions is to safeguard children aged between six to 14 years from the wrath of the teachers.

Only a few days ago, a Class III girl student of a primary school in Aligarh had died after she was allegedly thrashed by a lady teacher with stick for not completing her homework. It has been observed that the teachers often vent out their own frustration by physically punishing the children.