Most Mumbai schools still wield the cane

La Martiniere, Kolkata, a premier school, has been in the eye of a storm for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 12-year-old student, Rouvanjit Rawla. Are students of Mumbai schools safe from corporal punishment in classrooms? The state has imposed a ban on it a few years ago, but a recent survey has found out that “caning the kid” is very much in vogue in most city schools.Several schools say that caning children is the only way to maintain discipline in classrooms. “Most of the children who come to us are such delinquents that only a beating can make them take us seriously,” said Asha Desai, chairperson of Barfiwala Cosmopolitan School.

Meera Vigraham, a housewife, feels that teachers should not touch kids. “Kids have different personalities and they should be treated accordingly. Some kids misbehave for want of attention. Some come from broken families. A teacher should take these things into account and treat them accordingly,” she said.

A study by the Parents-Teachers Association United Forum on corporal punishment meted out in schools shows most schools still use the cane. The study surveyed 25 BMC-run and 25 private schools in Mumbai, and interviewed 100 students.

Harsh punishments are a sign of frustrated teachers, counsellors said. “With over 80 students in every class, teachers are overburdened. They are also underpaid. Occasionally, some of them vent their frustration on the kids,” said psychologist Nandini Deshmukh.