SCHOOLS OR HORROR CELLS ?

On 2012 Teacher’s Day, a teacher in a reputed school in Kolkatta hit a small child repeatedly on his head with a foam can causing serious head injuries. An elderly teacher in a school in Tamilnadu sexually abused a seven-year old boy. In a primary school in Coimbatore a three and a half- year old child was caned severely on the neck, back and thighs by the teacher for not doing well in studies, though the progress report showed that she secured 85% marks.

The above instances are only some illustrations. Sexual abuse of girls and boys; corporal punishment such as caning, cutting locks of hair, making them stand for long hours, forcing them to drink urine and other forms of torture; and humiliation in the open class and before the school assembly (sometimes leading to suicides) are frequently reported in  the media.Such incidences are on the increase in an alarming manner all over the country. Rote learning, discouraging curiosity, heavy homework and excessive pressure to perform are additional anxiety –causing factors in the schools. Many schools in the country are indeed becoming horror cells for the growing young children. Many teachers do suffer from psychological disorders like sadism, paedophilia and emotional insecurity. Selection of teachers in schools should be based both on TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) and Psychometric Test.

P.J.Naidu, a professional social worker with many years of experience in the field of mental health, has been devoting his entire energy for the cause of high quality education in schools. The Journal of School Social Work, the only journal of its kind in India, is published by him every month without fail with limited financial resources. Naidu’s passion is to see that schools appoint professionally qualified social workers.

Our children are the precious assets of the nation. Let us not waste their creativity and growth potential. The government, the media, the civil society and the rest of us should act without any further delay.