Teachers are authorized to roam the school premises armed with sticks.
Taking a Beat for the Kids:
A shockwave rippled through Kerala's courtrooms in April when teachers, known for wielding canes, were deemed innocent in a student-beating case. Despite a ban on corporal punishment in schools for over a decade, the High Court of Kerala justified the use of "reasonable and moderate" force to maintain order in classrooms.
Cases of teacher violence have been steadily increasing since the past four years, with courts grappling with a surge in disputes between educators and parents. Many accusations lead to false convictions, while other times, it's the students causing chaos in schools, threatening and assaulting teachers.
Extended leniency and spoiling by parents have raised concerns among teachers and psychologists alike. This leniency fosters a misplaced sense of impunity in children, leading experts to advocate for a return to traditional methods of teaching kids to cope with challenges instead of providing a cushy life devoid of difficulties.
Rising drug use and juvenile crime among teenagers further aggravate the issue, pushing some teachers to advocate for reinstating corporal punishment in schools. However, school principals are more cautious, promoting parental involvement and non-violent disciplinary methods.
Parents themselves are divided on this contentious topic, with older generations embracing a stricter approach to schooling. They view the modern generation as pampered, pressing for stricter discipline measures like corporal punishment. Conversely, younger parents advocate for alternatives that do not involve violence, focusing on fostering emotional intelligence and resilience instead.
Mental health professionals argue that equipping teachers with canes won't improve the safety or well-being of students in schools. They fear that animosity could potentially escalate, leading to dangerous situations. Dr. C.J. John, a psychiatrist, emphasizes that constructive and respectful disciplining methods should guide educators rather than instilling fear through painful punishments.
Old-school tactics such as grounding or stripping away privileges are recommended by industry experts like Dr. John as they encourage self-control without causing humiliation or physical harm. These methods, along with fostering open communication and empathy, are crucial in shaping tomorrow's resilient and empathetic leaders.
New approaches in education-and-self-development are advocated by mental health professionals to combat rising issues in schools. Instead of relying on old-school tactics or the reinstatement of corporal punishment, they suggest focusing on fostering emotional intelligence and resilience, using constructive and respectful disciplinary methods that encourage self-control without causing humiliation or physical harm.
