– Ronita Torcato 

School education minister Dadaji Bhuse has directed the school education department to organise a seminar on positive discipline in educational institutions across Maharashtra this week. The order was passed after several cases of corporal punishment of students came to light. 

Says high school teacher Marion M., “I think the teachers need to be trained by experts, that’s what schools should organise. In the past, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ indicated physical punishment, but today, it can even be argued that ‘the rod’ stands for discipline.”

Minister Bhuse’s order states that all schools across the state must organise at least one discussion on the issue of ‘positive discipline’ in the context of the provisions of the Right to Education Act regarding corporal punishment and the responsibilities of teachers, forms of punishment, the consequences of punishment, and the adverse effect on students. 

“Our teachers made us hold out our palms for a resounding thwack,” recalls a parent. “One angry teacher would simply hurl chalks in the direction of the chatter boxes, but I think it was all for our good. What about parents who thrash their children at home? Who will monitor them?”

The ideas of various educational thinkers on the principles and correct implementation of punishment, classroom management based on communication, cooperation and counseling should be addressed, Bhuse’s order said.

In organising the seminars, educationists have also been requested to refer to the Principal’s Guide Part Two developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training titled ‘Positive Discipline-A Challenge.’

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