Question : Death of School Students

(a) whether cases of death of students from various schools of the country have come to the notice of the Government during each of the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof, State, year and school-wise;

(b) whether it is true that the corporal punishment was the main reason for death of the students in such cases during the said period and if so, the details thereof along with the other reasons for such deaths;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in this regard, if so, the details and the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ''NISHANK'')


(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 297 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019 ASKED BY SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE AND SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

(a) to (d): The provisions of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, mandates ensuring and enabling a positive learning environment for all children in schools. The Act prohibits ‘physical punishment’ and ‘mental harassment’ under Section 17(1) and makes it a punishable offence under Section 17(2). The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) have been entrusted with the task of monitoring under Section 31 of the RTE Act, 2009.

The State Government is the appropriate Government for implementation of the provisions of RTE Act, 2009. The State Governments have notified their own RTE Rules and have Block/District level grievance redressal agencies under these Rules.

The issue of corporal punishment and incidents of deaths of children in schools has been viewed seriously and this Ministry gives full importance to the physical safety and psycho-social well being of children in schools. This Ministry has issued Guidelines/Advisory dated 26.03.2014 under Section 35(1) of the RTE Act, 2009 to all the States and Union Territories for elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools. Kendriya Vidyalayas Sangathan has issued instructions to schools under them to eliminate corporal punishment vide circulars dated 25.07.2007 and 30.03.2012. In addition, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has also appointed Counsellors in the JNV schools for emotional and physical well-being of the children.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all the schools affiliated to it to follow the RTE Act, 2009 vide circular dated 8th April, 2011 in which corporal punishment is prohibited. Detailed guidelines developed by MHRD have also been shared with schools vide circular dated 23rd May, 2014. The Affiliation Byelaws of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) empower the School Managing Committee to place an employee under suspension if charged with cruelty with any student or employee of the school. CBSE has also issued guidelines to schools for ensuring an atmosphere free from fear in each affiliated school.

Under the Integrated scheme for School Education - Samagra Shiksha, effective from the year 2018-19, there is a provision for supporting States and UTs on interventions related to Guidance and Counselling in schools. Funds have been provided to the States/UTs, in the current financial year 2019-20 in order to sensitize teachers to function as the first level counsellors in schools and to display a board on safety with helpline/emergency numbers and contact persons. Under NISHTHA, a nation-wide integrated teacher training program, teachers are being given orientation on counselling, provisions of POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, School Safety guidelines, helpline and emergency numbers, drop-box for complaints, etc. Also, State-specific projects are funded to address the issues of adolescent children.


The Ministry of Human Resource Development has also issued an advisory to all States and UTs vide letter dated 18.10.2019 on School Safety Pledge to ensure physical and psychological well-being of the children.
*****