La Martiniere bans corporal punishment

Under pressure from all quarters following the suicide of 13-year-old Rouvanjit Rawla after caning by the principal, Kolkata’s prestigious school La Martiniere for Boys banned corporal punishment on Friday.

“No child will be subjected to physical punishment and mental torture. Whoever contravenes such provisions shall be construed a major violator of rules and if found guilty, shall be liable for disciplinary action,” the school’s board of governors said.

Board member Lt Gen (retd) JR Mukherjee said under the amended service rules, violators would attract halt to increment, promotion and even removal or suspension.

The 150-year-old school will also form a committee soon for student counselling and complaints redressal.

Sources in the school said under old service rules, a teacher found guilty of corporal punishment was first cautioned, then suspended and finally dismissed. Under amended rules, such teachers will be first suspended and then dismissed.

However, the new rules will not apply in case of principal Sunirmal Chakravarthi, who has admitted to caning Rouvanjit. According to the school board, Chakravarthi has been cautioned and that is enough for the time being.