Corporal Punishment: SPARC and society members stress for a legislation

Most of the abuse and punishment cases were reported at homes which are assumed to be the safest places for children.

KARACHI:

The proposal for legislation against corporal punishment, which was sent to the Sindh chief minister by the education department last year, should now be brought to the assembly for further action.

This was recommended during a consultative meeting called by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) which was attended by representatives of different government departments and civil society organisations.

“Despite some initial steps taken by the Sindh government to check coercive methods in the teaching process, corporal punishment is being used at large to instill discipline in students,” said the SPARC Sindh manager, Suhail Ahmed Abro.

“Besides educational and religious institutions, children are facing ruthless treatment even at home and the workplace which should be curbed through administrative and legislative measures.”

Abro added that most of the cases of abuse and punishment were reported at homes which are assumed to be the safest places for children.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2012.