Yesterday, just 2 days after the schools reopened, I had to see a very cruel incident. In a famous school in Trivandrum, outside the principals office 3 high school students were standing. From their looks I could say that they were awaiting something horrible. And then came the principal (A priest) with a cane. Then he started beating them, and that too like they were some kind of animals.
After the principal had gone, I enquired to the peon why the students were beaten.
Crime 1 :- Wearing an ear ring
Crime 2 :- Military cut hair style
Crime 3:- Talking to a girl in the next block
I was vey much angry to hear this. Are these reasons enough to beat someone. Is wearing an ear ring a crime ? Then wearing rings on fingers also should be considered punishable. Isnt hair cut a personal choice ? Who the hell is a principal to say that every student must follow a particular hair style ?
Talking to a girl, and that too from another block is defenitly a crime. What if some affair is going on ? What if they run away tomorrow ? What if the girl gets ………. ahhhhhh When will we learn to respect and trust the students a little bit ?
We allow all sorts of stupidity in the name of religion. Sikhs can wear turban, muslim girls can wear their veil. Even school timings are adjusted on fridays to acomodate for prayers. When all this is granted in the name of God, why not allow students to wear an ear ring or cut his hair in a way he likes. ?
The incident you mentioned is horrible specially the reason and very very specially the way of punishment. After all parents too will be quite in this case as the school is one of the top in town and which parent will be ready to scold the principal and walkaway with their child’s TC?
One of the reason why I hate religion prioritised schools. They think their policies are the best, F*@#K the rules in that case. Such rules are the main reason for a child’s bad feelings and outlook in today’s society, eventhough there were students studying in the same principle years ago.
One things what Children of today lack is, THE FREEDOM OF THOUGHT and so they don’t have internal respect to others and self respect.
Comment by SAF — June 7, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Two Things
1. The Crime
I think wearing Ornaments of any kind in schools should be prohibited. Also students should cut their hair to a normal style…I am for this as this does the same thing as making students wear uniform. Basically then students all become the same except for their hard work and intelligence. This can only be relaxed to some extent where students are allowed to wear something fancy on Fridays or Saturdays.
As for the crime of talking to a Girl – I did not know it was a crime – I better keep away from girls…But seriously the authorities have to act sensibly – when was the last time some girl got pregnant just by talking to a girl (now don’t quote the Bible). It is high time that the Indian society realized that it is no good for the society to restrict communication between the sexes – I don’t know what they achieve by not allowing this. As long as as there is a healthy communication between the sexes – it only contributes to a better self esteem and confidence.
2. The punishment
Well it is harsh to beat children – but there is a famous saying – “spare the rod and spoil your child”.
But beating them like animals also does not help in any way. Punishments have to be measured and controlled. Punishments are not to take out your frustration on anybody – they are to make someone realize that they have committed a mistake and that they should remember not to repeat it again. It is a very fine line between Punishing a child and abusing a child. I think we should have a full discussion about this topic.
As for the topic itself – Freedom & Schools – Yes freedom is very much non existent in India schooling system – be it thoughts, be it choices…Etc. The teachers tell the students what to learn and what not to, and in the end – the student just becomes another tape recorder…
The Indian educational system has to be reinvented – just like web2.0 came into existence – it has to be an all inclusive process – where the parents, students, society and the management come together for the better of the students. There has to be interaction between the the teacher and the learner.
Comment by JMJ — June 7, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
One thing I forgot to mention was about religion and school. Religion is a personal thing and should never be mixed with anything. We have already seen the bad effects of mixing politics and religion. By ceding to religious demands – we are cultivating the wrong kind of discipline in the children.
They are not going to get Fridays off when they walk into the corporate world. A turban might be OK in the corporate world – but that is what the corporate world can take – no more.
Comment by JMJ — June 7, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Ornaments and the child who was wearing , ohh, I had a wrong logic.
1) Its not good for a boy to wear ornaments, be it gold or fashionable, until he is ready to fly from his high school.
2) But a military cut hair style , beating for that??
Men at military at named and called as ‘Gentlemen’ for what they are , for what they look like, for what they do etc etc. If the kids imitate them, whats wrong? After all, its not worse to cut hair, whereas rules can be implemented on growing hair.
3) And i still am against the strict rules at missionary/religion prioritised schools. They think they are doing wise things.
4) Talking to a girl, best place to open your heart and understand ourselves. Whereas girls, simply believe the color.
Comment by SAF — June 7, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Even I think Military Hair Style is decent – beats the logic out of my head…
Comment by JMJ — June 7, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
Oh! That was a horrible scene you have narrated. Poor boys! Beating for such silly things in school by a Principal. Unbelievable…
Comment by meghnak — June 7, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
So-Called Crime No. 1
Gold ornaments are not allowed in any school.
But, all schools do allow students to use gold ear-rings.
Ear-Rings are always exempted from the list of prohibited ornaments.
This couldnot be punished.
So called crime no.2
We could understand the punishment if the boy haven;t had an haircut for a long but not coz he cut his hair.
Infact our principal , urges us to have military cut.
I just cant find the fcuking reason for this.
So called Crime No.3
Talking to a girl !! Punished for that ??
Insane. Then , why the hell are the upholding co-education.
Co-education doesnt mean that, just boys and girls study together, and never talks. It’s intended to shape the personality of both the boy/girl and to develop them as morally/emotionally stable persons.
Preventing boys & girls from talking each other, does no good, other than Great HARM.
Once again,
Thanks Kenny for blogging this.
Comment by Aravind — June 7, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Such punishments makes criminals out of even ‘good boys’. Education is not about studies alone, it prepares someone to live in a society. If the teachers don’t know or don’t care about this… no one can save the world!!!
Comment by Derick — June 8, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Principal considered talking to a girl is a crime. It’s quite natural, beacause he is a priest…
Just remember “Kittatha Munthiri Pulikkum”….
Comment by MyTechShelf Admin — June 9, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
[...] another incident of cruelty against school children [...]
Pingback by Tortured Little Minds — November 16, 2008 @ 7:36 am
U should have asked that priest why he beat those kids!
btw, ornaments in school is a no.
Talking 2 a girl, depends on the situation.
For a hair cut, that priest got some problems!
Comment by Vineeth Jose — August 27, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
and btw..this dosent question the skills of mallu teachers.
Comment by Vineeth Jose — August 27, 2009 @ 11:18 pm