'Corporal punishment will only increase hatred'

Chennai, Dec 24: Educational activist S S Rajagopalan said corporal punishment only increased hatred in the student's heart and served no useful purpose to the teacher.

Mr Rajagopalan, who headed numerous education committees, made the observation while addressing students and teachers at a conference organised by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) here yesterday.

He said, ''The Madras Education Rules framed by the Britishers and still being followed by the Tamil Nadu Government allowed corporal punishment with six canings permitted in the pressence of the Headmaster.'' ''We should first remove this and abolish corporal punishment,'' he emphasised.

He urged the State Parent-Teacher Association to hold counselling for parents and teachers on corporal punishment and methods that can be used to tackle the wards.

Mr Rajagopalan also pointed out in Britain even a mother could not beat her child. But in India, there were instances where teachers handed over corporal punishment to students.

Leading Psychiatrist, Dr R K Rudhran, said ''beating a student will not only affect his mind but also all other students who are watching it.'' ''The teachers should tackle the student's in an affectionate manner. They must make the student feel as if he is interacting with his friend and not a teacher.

''Only this will help teachers to enjoy good relationship with students.'' SFI State General secretary Selva said the meeting wanted the state government to conduct counselling for teachers against meting out corporal punishment.

''The complaint cell of the Directorate of School Education should have the powers to take action against erring teachers. It should conduct a workshop for teachers about corporal punishment,'' he wanted.

The meeting also requested the government to set up a complaint cell in the state human rights commission for students to redress their grievances.

UNI