There is a need for an effective alternative to corporal punishment to regain order and discipline
Discipline refers to the ability of an individual to act according to rules and to maintain self-control. A disciplined person understands the value of time, follows rules, and handles responsibilities well. Discipline builds character and eventually leads to personal and academic success. Discipline is important for everyone and at every stage, but it is especially necessary for students. It helps them to keep focus on their studies, complete their assignments, and develop a positive attitude. Disciplined students are often regular and punctual, respect their teachers, and adjust well with their classmates. Good habits encourage better results and personal growth. Disciplined studies and exam preparations help students reach their goals and achieve their objectives.
In educational institutions across the globe, discipline has often been a subject of debate. Different strategies have been adopted in different systems to ensure discipline in schools or colleges. Some experts believe that corporal punishment is the most effective means of ensuring quick discipline, but the methods and legal frameworks surrounding student punishment significantly differ from country to country.
As of today, corporal punishment has been strictly banned in almost 135 countries, including many European, American, and Asian countries. It is completely banned across the European Union, and in India, corporal punishment is banned under RTE 2009. UNCRC emphasises the protection of children from all forms of physical or mental violence. Organisations like Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, and UNICEF have been leading campaigns to end corporal punishment in schools. Despite all this, corporal punishment is still a controversial subject and is in vogue in many countries, including many states of the US and Asia.
Since corporal punishment was strongly criticized and eventually banned in schools under RTE 2009, discipline issues have seriously cropped up because, unfortunately, there was no effective alternative system put in place. Scores of parents and educators from different places have been raising this concern, especially at the secondary and senior secondary level. School heads and teachers are finding it extremely difficult to ensure discipline and maintain the decorum of their educational institutions. Interestingly, students in higher grades know very well that they can easily get away after breaking the rules, as there is no mechanism to punish them for their irrational actions or unregulated behaviour. Sometime,s even parents support their children in actions that breach school codes. Teachers at higher levels have been left with no option but to tolerate the indiscipline and the growing rowdy culture in schools.
Some students in higher secondary schools prefer libraries over schools, which affects the attendance of students and leads to discipline issues. In most co-educational institutions, discipline issues are bound to happen, especially in this day and age when there is a huge student presence on various social media platforms. There are limited options for school authorities to punish students for their wrongful actions, absenteeism, and lack of moral standards. The sudden policy shift without effective alternatives or teacher training has led to confusion, frustration, and a lack of classroom control. It has also led to the growing feeling that there are no clear boundaries, as students believe there are no real consequences for their bad behaviour or discipline issues. This has also led to a rise in disrespect, disobedience, and disruption. Teachers’ authority is weakened amidst increased rights awareness, but without responsibility.
In the absence of corporal punishment in many countries around the world, positive discipline has been implemented. It is an approach to guide or regulate behaviour through teaching, understanding, and mutual respect. It focuses on developing a positive relationship, emphasising self-discipline, and equipping students with social and life skills. Positive discipline, as an effective alternative, requires skill, patience, and structure. At the same time, schools lack counsellors, structured behavioural programs, and proper student monitoring. Many educational experts have also suggested psychological alternatives to corporal punishment, including positive reinforcement, removal of privileges, restorative justice, and cognitive behavioural approaches.
Discipline, being an important foundation for academic success, fosters growth and ensures a positive learning environment. To ensure proper control in educational institutions, it’s important to introduce effective and alternative discipline methods, including mentorship and counselling, classroom management training, and parental involvement.
Corporal punishment of children may have been harmful to their psychological and emotional growth, but its removal is not enough. It must be replaced with a well-designed behavioural system that inculcates the value of discipline among students through responsibility, respect, and consequences. The disciplinary crisis in schools reflects a failure of policy implementation and empowerment. There is a need to put an alternative system in place to ensure moderate global citizens are produced in educational institutions.
Rayees Masroor
ra**************@***il.com