11. What are the first symptoms that our child is being harassed in any way in school ?

Evidence of fear, like cowering, hiding, frequent absence, ‘morning sickness’ (“Mummy I’m sick, I can’t go to school”, accompanied by fever, vomiting etc).

12. What is the first step to be taken once we have confirmed that our child is indeed being victimized?

Discuss with child, discuss with spouse. Perhaps check out with class-mates or parents of classmates. When victimization is established, meet Principal asap.

13. Are there any criminal laws against corporal punishment ?

Only in Tamil Nadu. Elsewhere the language of the prohibition is clear but such that a clever lawyer can nullify its effects. However, Kapil Sibal’s Right to Education Act under 17.(1) dated August 27th 2009 states ‘No child shall be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment’.

14. What assistance can SERVE offer us in such a situation ?

Presumably this question is related to Q13. Should SERVE come into possession of the written grievance being presented, we would (a) encourage the parents to pursue the matter as earlier answers here have indicated, (b) contact the institution to the effect that any further reports will be publicized, to the detriment of the institution and the personnel in charge. We have actually done this.

15. How do we contact SERVE ?

Check out the Contact Us page in this Website.

16. It is often seen that schools victimize the child even further in subtle ways once a complaint is launched. How do we save our child from further isolation in such a case?

Difficult. Compile a dossier on the instances of further victimization, give a copy to the Principal, give another to a lawyer – in effect: make noise. Meanwhile, be sure your child is surrounded by the love of family and friends at home. She / he will need lots of alternative support at this time.

17. What is the duty of us as parents at home while our child is going through this crisis?

The answer to #16 covers this. If other children are also victims, parents might create a pressure group to have things rectified in the school. If your child only is being zvictimized, you might be forced to think of an alternative school. But be very careful that your child, surrounded by such attention, does not fabricate or exaggerate. 

18. In what cases would the child require professional counseling?

Check out #11. Pay particular attention to the child not wanting to disclose the reasons for her / his bad form. There could be bullying or sexual abuse involved, where the child is threatened with dire punishment if she / he should disclose the details. A counselor might be indicated here.

19. We parents recognize that controlling a classroom of many children is not easy. Is there no alternative system of pedagogy available through which punishment of our children can be completely avoided?

There are principally three. One is called ‘D for L’, ‘Discipline for Learning’, which was created in England when all corporal punishment was made a criminal offence there several years ago. It is effective up to about Class VII. Another is ‘Where the child is without fear’, which though promulgated in many schools has not taken off; the reasons are various. A third is popular in Tamil Nadu, and widely popular, but needs strong encouragement by government authorities. There are other good systems elsewhere, but we seem to be stuck with the recognized Boards for some time to come!

20. We want our children educated. In the end though we notice that they are merely stuffed with useless knowledge and impressive percentages, that they think is education. Can we do anything about that?

Yes. You already recognize that you must put your child through this machine. But you can also expose her / him to other experiences through travel, selective TV, adventure, interesting (safe) visitors to your home, encouraging them to join clubs and groups that challenge them – cycling groups, trekkers, sports clubs etc. And then discuss and share their experiences with them appreciatively. You could also encourage them to follow in college the career of their choice, even if it doesn’t seem to you be either socially or economically the wisest. Dreams are important.

 

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