Pernicious practice of corporal punishment in Delhi Govt Schools - Social Jurist writes to Delhi Education Minister

SOCIAL JURIST A Civil Rights Group To Mrs. Kiran Walia, Delhi Education Minister Government of NCT of Delhi Secretariat, New Delhi-110002 29.10.2012 Sub: Complaint of Corporal Punishment in Delhi Government Schools Dear Mrs. Kiran Waliaji, During Lawyers Plus Team visit to Ravidas Camp, near Mother Dairy, Patparganj, Delhi on Sunday 28/10/12, several students have complained to us about frequent practice of corporal punishment in their schools. Class VI student namely Dharamjeet resident of E 119/32, Ravidas Camp, near Mother Dairy, Patparganj, Delhi-92 (M-9958476575) of Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Shakarpur, Delhi92 has shown us his injured finger which was the result of merciless and cruel beatings by his teacher Shri Veer Singh with iron scale few days back. Similarly, Class VIII student namely Ashish Gupta of Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, West Vinod Nagar, Delhi has complained to us that his teacher beats up the students with leather belt and abuses them with filthy words. These students have even expressed their woes in writing on the postcards. These postcards and some of the photos are enclosed hereto for your ready reference. It is submitted that the aforementioned instances are only samples. The pernicious practice of corporal punishment in Delhi Government Schools as well as in MCD schools is continued unabated despite prohibition under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. It is really a very serious matter. We sincerely hope that you may take immediate serious action against the erring teachers. With warm regards, Ashok Agarwal, Advocate Advisor, Social Jurist M-09811101923