Making learning joyful
Aruna Sankaranarayanan in “The heart of education” and Mina Anand in “Criminally corporal” (June 27) have stated rightly that our attitudes to educational methodologies need to undergo a sea change. I remember my own school days, four decades ago, when caning in class-rooms and during school assemblies, standing bent down touching one's feet as the class progressed, and humiliation by making the student stand on the bench used to be accepted punishment methods. No parent, NGOs, or the media raised any eyebrows then. However, childhood suicides were almost unknown. Societal attitudes have changed over the decades. Working parents rarely spend quality time with children, and yet expect wonders of academic performance from them. The stress of education and parental neglect drives the child to the edge, and corporal punishment becomes just the last straw on the camel's back. The need of the hour is to make learning a joyful experience, abolish fear of emotional or physically painful punitive methods, and nurture a harmonious relationship between parents, the students and the teachers. Once this concept is understood by all, there would be no offenders to enforce laws upon.
Dr. Sunil P. Shenoy
Mangalore
Teachers who resort to corporal punishment in classrooms/schools lose the moral right to be in the profession. Laws pertaining to corporal punishment might make teachers lose the job or promotions, increments, etc. But an irreparable damage to students' psyche has already been caused. It is imperative that teachers have a great deal of maturity and balanced outlook besides, of course, proficiency in their subject while dealing with the students to help the latter achieve all-round development.
S. Ramakrishnasayee
Principal, DAV-BHEL School
Ranipet
Many of us might have been punished or caned in school, but that did not make us contemplate suicide. There could be more to Rouvanjit Rawla's death than just punishment given to him in school.In dealing with the suicide of the young boy allegedly induced by corporal punishment, newspaper and television reports have apportioned blame in a curiously facile way. This is disturbing, since psychiatrists always say that the causes of suicide are never simple or easy to diagnose. It devolves on the police and others to ascertain whether caning can indeed be blamed for a boy's suspected suicide. And whether caning is reason enough to defame the school.
J.S. Acharya
Hyderabad
The articles are the need of the hour. Parents, teachers and school authorities must be made aware of the rights of children and the freedom they ought to be enjoying. But when we speak of the dignity of the students, isn't there a dignity that the teacher deserves? The wrath of the teacher when a student indulges in pranks while he is putting in the best effort is only natural (though it must be controlled). The best policy in dealing with the problems of the students and teachers is to bring down the teacher student ratio to 1:30 as stipulated by the Right to Education Act as this will make the class more manageable. Moreover the teachers must be given periodic training on emotional management.
Asha Ajith
Thiruvananthapuram
Moving on
This refers to Vijay Nagaswami's article “Whose fault is it?” (June 27). Marriage is indeed a sacred institution that provides security, compassion and societal status and acceptance. But when the relationship turns sour and all available remedies fail, the legal system should not hinder a divorce. Isn't it a strange situation where one partner wants a divorce, while the other is unwilling? It is not unconditional love that guides such an attitude but fear of societal repercussions and financial insecurity. The legal system should therefore concern itself only with important issues like compensation and custody of children. Any attempt at repairing inter-personal relationships and securing reconciliation between the partners should be left to psychological or marriage counsellors. Once the marriage is deemed irreparable, the earlier the legal divorce proceedings are completed, the quicker each partner could move on with his or her life.
Chandralekha P.S.
Kochi
