Beatings at school had a silver lining

RECENTLY, I read a news report about a high court granting relief to a teacher accused of beating a sixth grader — on the grounds that the punishment was within limits. I couldn’t help thinking how sensitive today’s children are, compelling parents to file lawsuits. I wonder how these kids would react if meted out the punishment we endured in the 1970s.

It is no secret that during our school days, getting physically punished was par for the course. A smack on the neck or a slap on the cheek, a pinch on the arm or ruler raps on outstretched palms were inflicted unabashedly, and the students suffered without a whimper of protest.

At our all-boys school, we bravely coped with the famous or rather infamous benders, a form of caning across the buttock with the victim made to bend forward, head down, fingers touching the toes.

Corporal punishment was more the norm than the exception for misbehaviour, indiscipline, not doing homework or even talking, laughing or munching in the classroom.

Curiously enough, we had teachers known for their unique ways of dispensing punishment. Our sports master, with a strong resemblance to Hollywood actor Yul Brynner, always carried a thick, twisted leather cord. Any misconduct was met with a stinging whack on some part of the body.

The vice-principal, who could pass off as a movie villain, not only terrified students with the rattan cane he carried but also his excruciating belly pinch. There were others who had mastered the art of ear-twisting. Did we contemplate complaining to our parents? Or taking some extreme measures? Never!

Once, a hot-tempered teacher flung a blackboard duster at a distracted student but it hit someone else. The infuriated teacher dashed towards the errant student and rained blows. After venting his fury, he sheepishly apologised to the wronged victim and continued teaching.

Not much was made of that incident. After the class, some of us consoled our injured classmate, whose right cheek bone had turned blue for no fault of his. He took it in his stride, insisting that he wouldn’t complain to his parents lest he got rebuked by them. After all, a teacher is always right. Or so it was believed in the good old days.

We weren’t spared at home either for wrongdoings. Mom was known for her knuckle knocks on the head, while Army man dad’s hard stares and warnings were enough to freeze us. This was bearable compared to the ordeal of some of my friends, who got thrashed with sticks, brooms, belts and even slippers.

Despite such punishment, we never retaliated, felt ashamed or complained. Lawsuits were alien to us. Nor were we affected psychologically. It only made us tough and resilient.