Say No to corporal punishment. Let students learn without fear

In the olden days, it was assumed that fear is the solution to everything, and to make someone follow the direction by force. The same thought involved with the teaching methodologies of the past teachers and even the parents believed that fear is the only way to raise the generation of followers. Corporal punishment inculcates fear in the children; which refers to the concept of beating and hitting the student. Sometimes this beating and hitting exceeds limits and becomes physical harm and danger. Some sadist people beat the children ruthlessly; about which we can even say that this beating is like animals.

The concept of corporal punishment can best be envisaged when masters used to torture their slaves in different ways and beating and hitting was the main action. They would be beaten very cruelly and after beating the masters used to leave them in a corner to weep and cry on their fate. This exercise was done to create fear of the master in their mind, so that they don’t dare to go against them.

Similarly animals are also beaten for any lapse or to quicken them in action. They are beaten to create fear of corporal punishment in their heart to remain in control. Slaves were human beings and knew very well the instrument of punishment. Similarly, animals very well recognize the instrument of punishment and very clearly differentiated between any other object and a stick.

Now imagine the philosophy of corporal punishment as explained above and apply it to the school going children in the age group between 6 to 16 years old students; generally, both boys and girls of 10 to12 years. Would any parent like their child beaten and sometimes beaten brutally by a sadist type of teacher who seek pleasure in beating and punishing these young kids? The students who are beaten never like to go to the school again for the fear of corporal punishment. Here is a big dilemma for the young children, as the fear prevents them from progress. If they go to school they get beaten by the teacher and if they don’t, they get beating from their parents. Is it not making a sadist out of an innocent child who could prove to be brilliant student if handled properly with love and affection?

The corporal punishment brings fear in slaves, animals and now similarly in the young kids. Sometimes the spoiled children do need physical punishment to mend their ways but that should be in a proper manner. Not every teacher should be given a free hand to skin the child. There should be a disciplinarian in the school to whom such students are produced with a reason for punishment but not in harmful manner. The next time the child would remember that he would be punished if he falters again.

If we corroborate corporal punishment with fear, it should not be allowed and more often it has negative impact on the students. Here we are not talking of so called public school swarming everywhere in the cities. See it in the overall scenario all over the country including the government schools in villages and other small places. Many students leave school for the fear of beating, which is a great loss, not only for those families, but for the entire nation. That is why, this matter has to be taken seriously and dealt with care. Ministries must take practical measures to control all the schools on this issue and keep a strong check. This is the only way to eliminate this issue from our country and enhance education rate.