SRINAGAR: The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Anantnag has stated that teachers involved in corporal punishment can face incarceration.
The CEO made this statement following a meeting conducted by the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag with the Head of Institutions (HOIs) and Zonal Education Officers of Anantnag.
According to the CEO, corporal punishment is banned in all educational institutions as stated in the Right to Education Act of 2009. Any teacher who violates these norms will face strict disciplinary action and may even be incarcerated for committing this offense. In cases of student misconduct, the parents should be informed for proper counseling in a friendly environment.
The CEO emphasized that student attendance should be a priority for all schools. Each school must appoint a School Nodal Officer who will liaise with parents to address and overcome absenteeism. The Nodal Officer should share the details with the CEO’s office on a weekly basis through the concerned HOIs and Zonal Education Officer.
It was also highlighted that monthly parent-teacher meetings should be a regular feature in every institution within the district.
Every school is expected to have a schedule for conducting activities such as competitions, debates, and discussions, encompassing curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities to develop 21st-century skills among students. This will enable them to have holistic growth and compete nationally and internationally.
During the meeting, the CEO emphasized the importance of inspecting schools to ensure the safety of students. Any potential hazards such as electric wires, transformers, or open wells that may pose harm to students should be promptly reported for necessary action.
The official communication also stressed the need for schools to provide students with proper uniforms and books, reporting any shortages in a timely manner. Students are expected to maintain a clean and neat uniform.
The HOIs were instructed to adopt a learner-centered approach to avoid rigid seating arrangements that may stigmatize certain students.
Furthermore, every student should be given the opportunity on a rotation basis to express their thoughts during morning assemblies.
The CEO of Anantnag also directed complex and cluster heads to organize inter-school student exchange programs to enhance the learning ecosystem within the cluster or complex level. (KNO)
