It’s emotional abuse, says expert

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 26

After undergoing emotional abuse, the child, on whose arm the school authorities had stamped a note about delay in submission of fee, is not ready to meet anyone. Seeing anybody coming inside the house, he hides himself, fearing that they might talk about the same issue. He does not want to talk the incident all over again.

The situation through which the Class VII student of SDN School has undergone at the school is known as ‘emotional abuse’.

“The mind of growing-up children is also developing and if any such thing happens, they undergo trauma. When they feel ashamed in some social situation, it can become a big issue in their lives. We need to make their growing-up scenario more safe and secure. Problems will come up as they grow up and they should be made strong to cope with them, but when such incidents happen, they tarnish their self-esteem,” said Dr Ravinder Kala, a city-based child psychologist.

She said after such incidents, children feel separated from others and undergo traumatic stress. The school authorities should only talk to parents and not hurt the self-esteem of the child or humiliate him for no fault of his, said Dr Kala.

Meanwhile, the father of the child, Kuldeep Singh, with the help of the Ludhiana School Parents Association, sent a letter to The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Swaroop Singh, vice-president of Ludhiana School Parents Association, said the act of the school authorities was shameful.

“Parents send their wards to school. Instead of taking care of them, the school is harassing them mentally. We have sent a letter to the commission and hopefully they will pursue it on Monday, since last two days are non-working,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of Punjab State Child Rights Protection Commission Sukesh Kalia said according to the law, it was wrong what the school authorities had done. They cannot even question the student or intimate him regarding non-submission of fee. It is the responsibility of the school to convey the message to the parents.

“The case has come to the notice of the commission and we will take appropriate action in this regard,” he said.

The Education Department will also inquire into this matter on Monday. Swaranjeet Kaur, DEO, said she would form a committee which would inquire into the matter on Monday and further action would be taken after that.