Child Rights panel asks Chennai Corporation to prevent corporal punishment in schools

Following allegations of corporal punishment in Chennai Corporation schools, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNSCPCR) has written to Chennai Corporation to take measures to prohibit corporal punishment, safeguard physical health and promote mental well-being of students.

Chennai Corporation has directed teachers of all the 418 schools to safeguard physical and mental well-being of the students. At least 1.3 lakh students have been on the rolls of the schools. The civic body has planned to start a drive to sensitise teachers to the ill-effects of corporal punishment. According to teachers of Chennai Corporation, a teacher has been suspended following allegations of corporal punishment at school.  

Councillors have stressed the need for creating a safe environment for students in schools. Councillor G.V.Nagavalli, who is member of the GCC Standing Committee for Education, said the committee would discuss the issue of corporal punishment, to make the environment safe at school for students. 

Residents have requested the civic body to form monitoring committees to check corporal punishment in schools in each ward. T.K.Shanmugham, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations said monitoring committees should be constituted to prevent corporal punishment. 

AIADMK Councillor J.John said most of the parents have been sensitised about corporal punishment at schools. “The temporary teachers in Chennai Corporation schools seem to lack the ability to sensitise students, and guide them. They are paid only ₹18000 while permanent government teachers get a salary of more than a lakh. We need permanent teachers. The psychological well-being of teachers is also important as we prohibit corporal punishment,” he said.

Vanessa Peter, founder, IRCDUC (Information and Resource Centre for Deprived Urban Communities) said: “Many children studying in Chennai’s schools come from low-income or informal settlements and families facing multiple socio-economic vulnerabilities. Our interactions with these children reveal that they have experienced stigma, physical punishment, mental harassment, and verbal abuse, linked to their place of residence and background. Over the years, we have identified several out-of-school children who refuse to continue or re-enrol in the same school due to fear of corporal punishment, particularly mental harassment. It is essential to implement the Guidelines for the Elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools (GECP), 2024, to ensure that proactive measures are taken to create safe and nurturing learning environments for all students. Structured sensitivity training for teachers and school staff should be institutionalised, and children who require additional support must be provided with counselling, academic assistance, and a caring environment — rather than being blamed or marginalised.”