Teachers disciplined, can't call kids stupid

NO PUNISHMENT? NCPCR has empowered parents to lodge FIRs against schools for punishing their children.

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New Delhi: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) might think that scolding a child in school is emotional abuse, but not all parents are sure that a bit of verbal disciplining is bad for their children.

While some parents like Jyoti Bhasin may say, 'I am all for spare the rod and spoil the child,' others like Shalini Chadha say that some bit of disciplining might not be a bad idea.

"There are several kinds of punishments. Don't use corporal punishment though," says she.

The Commission says using words like 'stupid' and 'foolish' for students is emotional abuse -- this in a country that doesn't bat as much as an eyelid as long as the children are bringing home the percentages.

Meanwhile, schools have their own concerns -- like the directive to put up a complaint box.

Says Principal, Lotus Valley School, Madhu Chandra, "Have we ever listed if a child misbehaves with teachers?"

The Commission though, sounds earnest.

Says NCPCR Chairperson Shanta Sinha, "We want anything that causes emotional and physical stress to be called corporal punishment."

NCPCR has also empowered parents to lodge FIRs against schools for punishing their children and has given the states two months time to file an action taken.

(With inputs Raheel Khursheed in New Delhi)