A school is a sacred place where a child is nurtured and groomed. It is where his personality is polished and the world is made familiar to him. However, he must not be familiarised to this society through the society’s ways. To be simpler, he should be taught through peace and not through the evil deeds inherited in our country such as corporal punishment.
Physical punishment is a social evil related to schooling that has surfaced to be a major cause of disinterest for education. This has let many children to reach their final destination either directly or indirectly. Directly, as in some students at school might be beaten harshly or are forced to carry out certain strenuous exercises which might cause cardiopulmonary failure or nervous breakdown, resulting in death. Indirectly, as in some oppressed victims of corporal punishment might get so frustrated that they end upon thinking about suicide. Suicide cases in the youth have been reported in our society.
Punishing little children, especially in schools through hitting or making them carry out strenuous exercises, can never be the correct conduit to become a developed society. Children are entitled to care, security and a good upbringing. They should always be dealt with respect and venerated. Brutally punishing them deters their innocence at the very moment, and illustrates to them at such an early age how cruel the world could be.
The teachers should be repeatedly guided on how to help the students in building up a good future, instead of encouraging them to destroy it. They should be given counseling to understand that children will be children and adults should not expect otherwise; they are innocent and completely unfamiliar to this world full of agony. They are quite incapable of bearing pain at this very tender age. However, their capabilities should never be underestimated and they should always be given a chance to improve themselves through love, instead of a cane.
Children are like buds. These buds must not be dealt with wrath or anger, but they should always be fed through love and affection. This is something that boosts their confidence and when they as buds bloom to display their magnificence and distribute their fragrance all around, the society is sure to succeed.
MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM TARIQ
Lahore