The Haryana Human Rights Commission has ordered the Karnal district education officer to probe reports that a Class 7 student of a private school was repeatedly slapped by a teacher in front of classmates over a minor mistake.
Taking note of the incident, the panel observed that such acts can have a long-lasting negative impact on a child’s mental well-being and sense of dignity.
The panel also asked the school principal to submit a detailed report explaining the sequence of events, the action taken or proposed against the teacher, and the safeguards put in place to avert such incidents in the future.
Calling the incident a serious violation of a child’s fundamental and legal rights, the rights commission’s chairperson, Justice Lalit Batra (retired), said schools are both legally and morally bound to ensure a safe, respectful and child-friendly environment.
He stressed that discipline should never be enforced through fear, violence or humiliation, and warned that any violation of this principle would attract strict legal action.
As per the complaint, the student was allegedly slapped several times by the teacher in the presence of other students for a minor error, leading to severe mental trauma, fear, humiliation and a sense of insecurity.
In his detailed order, Justice Batra (retd) said the alleged conduct amounts to a grave violation of Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and Section 17 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, both of which strictly ban corporal punishment, mental harassment and humiliation of children.
The panel also emphasised that nurturing a child is a shared responsibility of parents and school authorities.
"Positive parenting and child-centred disciplinary practices focus on guidance, empathy, and non-violent correction rather than fear and humiliation. Such practices are essential for a safe and supportive learning environment. The present incident reflects a serious failure in adopting these principles, resulting in a clear violation of the child's dignity, mental health and fundamental rights," it stated.
The commission ordered the district education officer of Karnal to carry out a time-bound probe, in coordination with the district elementary education officer, into the school’s functioning, with specific focus on compliance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, especially Section 17.
All concerned authorities, including the Karnal deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, district education officer, district elementary education officer and the school principal, have been asked to submit their reports at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for March 18.
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