Bengaluru: A recent social media feed from one of my colleagues rattled me as an aware individual who worships educational institutions and believes them to be the stepping stone for an enlightened tomorrow,more so as the mother of a school-going toddler.

Sushmita’s post and appeal read thus:“It all started with physical punishment for my daughter who is studying in Nursery, East Wood High School, Ulsoor. Each morning started with her crying and requesting me not to send her to school. At first I ignored her, but later discovered that she was beaten up regularly by the class teacher. After I complained, I was told,”No we don’t beat any kids here as beating is banned in school” but “A teacher doesn’t have any other way to instil discipline other than beating!”

This horrifying post brings us to the question of discipline and punishment in school. And should there be a line that a teacher shouldn’t cross.

“A school is not meant to torture kids in the name of discipline. In fact, they should provide an environment which is conducive to the growth and development of kids. It should be a happy place to which kids look forward to going every day. Shame on such schools,” says Rakhi Kapoor, Teacher.

Agreeing to it wholeheartedly, Educationist Chidananda who runs a preschool in Bangalore says, “Teachers shouldn’t get into physical abuse. We have to set examples in front of them to learn and emulate. A very naughty kid will also understandif you explain it to him/ her with love and care.”

Expressing the same belief, Sayantoni Ray, Teacher, Euro Kids, says, “A child at any age shouldn’t be physically abused or hit. A small child should be rewarded in case of a good deed, and in case of a naughty deed, no reward. That is one of the ways to make them understand. A school shouldn’t scar them for life.”