Corporal punishment cases in Anantnag schools : CWC urges edu dept to enforce child protection policy

Srinagar, Jul 25: Following a notable surge in reported corporal punishment cases in schools of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has urged the Chief Education Officer of Anantnag to disseminate and implement the Child Protection Policy in all educational institutions within its jurisdiction.District Social Welfare Officer Anantnag told Rising Kashmir that it has come to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee that multiple cases of corporal punishment are being reported from various private and government schools across the district. This emerging trend is a matter of serious concern and warrants immediate attention, he said.Recognising the gravity of the situation, the committee has called for immediate intervention. An official letter has been sent to the Chief Education Officer, requesting that the Child Protection Policy be shared with all schools and that strict measures be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.The Chief Education Officer has directed school principals, Zonal Education Officers, headmasters, and private school administrators to ensure the prompt dissemination of the Child Protection Policy to all staff members.All staff are required to sign declarations affirming their commitment to comply with the policy’s provisions, which strictly prohibit corporal punishment in any form. “A compliance report along with duly signed declaration forms may be furnished to this office within 10 days positively from the date of issuance of this communication,” the CEO said.