The Hindu, Chennai, 3 March 2001

Caning of students to be made a crime

NEW DELHI, MARCH 2. Caning and beating of children in schools will soon be made a crime.

The Human Resource Development Minister, Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi, today told the Rajya Sabha during question hour that the Government was constituting a "child commission'' that would make caning and beating of children in schools a crime.

There are many examples of such incidents especially in the capital. Mr. Joshi was replying to Mr. Janeshwar Mishra on beating, even blinding, of school children by teachers.

On primary education, he said children below 13 years would have educational facilities. The scheme was being sanctioned in the 9th Plan but would continue into the 10th Plan. Dr. Joshi said that to reduce strain on students, the Government had suggested to the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to abolish tests up to Class 10 and hold examinations only in Class 12.

The Government had launched a new scheme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to implement the programme for free, compulsory and quality education for all children below 14 years.

The scheme would be implemented by the State Government through the State- level implementation society and the decision regarding programme implementation would be taken by the national and state missions, Dr. Joshi said in a written reply.

- PTI, UNI

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