L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Protect kids from deviants

Usha Rai’s article, "Spare the rod, save the child" (Spectrum, Oct 24) on violence against children is an eye-opener. Violence against children still exists in schools and many homes. Certain arrogant and uncreative teachers with their deviant behavior use corporal punishment as an instrument to discipline the students. They humiliate and degrade the students by inflicting “brutalities” on innocent children just to conceal their failures and inferior personality traits.

The National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights (NCPCR) must take strong measures against all kinds of violence against the children. We must have child protection cells at all district headquarters. Children should be encouraged to complain against the erring teachers, parents or other violators. NGOs and activists working for child rights should not only help the victims but also awaken the public against different kinds of violence against children. Teachers must know the basic principles of child psychology. Every child is unique and individual differences must be recognised. To maintain discipline in the class, students’ involvement in the teaching-learning process must be ensured. Every child’s individuality must be respected. Those who inflict corporal punishment on children must be treated as criminals.

Teach the teachers to use a language of love. The local bodies must keep an eye on the teachers’ activities.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

Education should help students become good citizens I read Neena Sharma’s interview of Doon School Headmaster Dr Peter McLaughlin (On Record, “Education is an effective tool to battle poverty”, Sunday Oped, Oct 24). He has correctly observed that educating the illiterates can solve many problems our country is presently facing. Poverty, disease, social backwardness, dishonesty emanate from lack of education. Our children must be made to acquire sufficient knowledge to responsibly shoulder the progress of our country in future. Education should help develop the personality of students to become very good citizens. Not only teachers but parents also have to contribute their might in this regard. S.C. VAID, Greater Noida II The 75th anniversary of Doon School, Dehradun, reflects the role of a school in the life of its students and the lifelong values they imbibe as a result of their interaction (formal and informal) with their teachers. The school celebrates its anniversary every year which provides an opportunity to all old students to refresh their memories and see the efficacy of the values consciously taught by the teachers. There are lakhs of schools in India which have no such traditions. In their case, the memories are refreshed when by chance old students meet. But their students also pick up values. A good student always feels the soul of his teachers. Out of this soulful interaction emerges much which seems pre-ordained. JAGVINDER SINGH BRAR, Patiala