Child Rights Panel Urges Chennai Corporation to Curb Corporal Punishment in Schools

The Commission, in its advisory, called upon the civic body to ensure that all schools under its jurisdiction adopt child-friendly practices, safeguard students’ physical and emotional well-being, and promote a zero-tolerance approach to any form of physical or mental abuse.

Incident Prompts Action

The move comes after a parent lodged a formal complaint with the Commission, alleging that a teacher had physically punished a student. The teacher involved has since been suspended, according to education department officials.

In response, the Chennai Corporation has issued directions to teachers across its 418 schools, which together serve more than 1.3 lakh students, reinforcing the importance of maintaining safe and supportive learning environments.

“The focus must shift from discipline through fear to discipline through understanding,” said a senior Corporation official. “Every child has the right to learn without fear or humiliation.”

Awareness and Sensitisation Drive Planned

To prevent such incidents in the future, the civic body plans to launch a sensitisation campaign aimed at teachers, highlighting the psychological impact and long-term harm caused by corporal punishment.

Workshops and orientation sessions will be held to train educators in positive discipline techniques, emotional intelligence, and effective classroom management strategies.

Education experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that corporal punishment can damage a child’s confidence and trust in the learning process.

“Teachers often face pressure to maintain discipline, but punishment only breeds resentment,” said an education psychologist based in Chennai. “We need empathy and better communication between teachers, students, and parents.”

Legal and Policy Framework

Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, corporal punishment in any form is prohibited in schools across India. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and its state counterparts, including TNSCPCR, have consistently emphasised the need for awareness, monitoring, and immediate redressal of such cases.

The Commission has also asked the Corporation to establish a mechanism for reporting and addressing complaints swiftly, ensuring accountability and protection for children in public schools.

A Step Towards Safer Classrooms

The recent measures signal a renewed commitment to creating child-friendly and emotionally secure classrooms in Chennai’s public education system. Officials hope that with proper training and awareness, schools can shift from punitive methods to practices rooted in care, empathy, and understanding.

“Education must empower, not intimidate,” said a spokesperson for TNSCPCR. “Every child deserves respect, and every teacher deserves support to build nurturing learning spaces.”