VIOLENCE AND RAGGING IN SCHOOLS AFFILIATED TO CBSE

It has been observed that ragging has raised its ugly head in schools and the recent violence reported in a prestigious institution is a matter of shock and grave concern.

Ragging is any disorderly conduct whether by words, spoken or written or by an act with the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any other student. It also involves indulging in rowdy or indisciplined activities which is likely to cause annoyance or psychological harm or apprehension or fear in any student or doing any act or performing something which a student will not do in the ordinary course and may cause shame or embarrassment or adversely affect the physique or psyche of one student by another.

Ragging is manifested in several aspects such as psychological, social, cultural and academic dimensions. Exploiting the relationship which has an inherent power structure such as between a senior and junior student for any of the factors mentioned above will fall under ragging .An act or abuse by spoken words, emails, public insults should be considered within the psychological aspects of ragging. Any act which affects the physical, mental, emotional - health, self confidence or self esteem of a student can be categorized as an aspect of ragging.

There have often been incidents of physical and sexual abuse in schools which are brushed under the carpet and not reported even to the parents as it may harm the reputation of the institute. This is a dangerous trend and needs to be stopped immediately. Once these students are left unchecked, they will grow to plague society, hence it is imperative that any act of bullying or abuse, however small must not be allowed to go unnoticed. Moreover the traumatic aftermath of such an incident on the psyche of the victim cannot be undermined as it may lead to irreversible damage.

The onus of preventing any undesirable aspect of ragging rests jointly and individually on all stakeholders which includes the head of the institution, teachers, non teaching staff, students, parents and the local community. A concerted effort by everyone concerned is the need of the hour.

The ambience and environment of a school should be warm and amiable where learning can take place meaningfully and students can engage themselves in intellectual, social, physical and cultural pursuits.

What Needs To Be Done?

A Committee, popularly known as Raghavan Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court of India to make suggestions for prevention of ragging in educational institutions has also made a strong case for regular and periodic psychological counseling sessions for every student in the school.

A school should preferably have a full time Counsellor at each level of schooling such as Primary, Upper-Primary and Secondary/Senior.

At Secondary and Senior Secondary stages at least twenty sessions of psychological counseling must be provided to every student in an academic session. Parents and teachers may also be involved in such sessions.

‘Health and Wellness Clubs’ already constituted by schools should act as monitoring cells for maintaining a constant vigil to promote preventive measures to curb violence in any form. Incase any act of violence is reported, timely and prompt action must be taken.

Manuals on Life Skills, Comprehensive School Health and Adolescence Education which contain activities on Value Systems, Human Rights, Gender Sensitivity, Self Esteem, Interpersonal Communication, Coping with Stress, Dealing with Anger, Coping with Emotions, Empathy, and Resisting Peer Pressure need to be religiously taken up in the activity periods. These can take the form of Role Plays, Street-Theatre (Nukkad Natak), Group-Discussions, Debates etc.

Peer Educators and Peer Mentors need to be empowered to create awareness and monitor the sensitive zones in schools such as canteens, playgrounds, corridors, bathrooms and dormitories. Any untoward incident must be immediately reported.

Counsellors in all schools and Wardens in CBSE Boarding and residential schools need to be sensitized to the changing dynamics of student interaction.They should be empathetic and approachable so that students can confide in them. The occurrence of such acts has more probability in case of residential schools due to the amount of time spent together by students.

Role of parents in Parent Teacher Meetings, representation in various other school committees and participation in Health Club initiatives must be reinforced. Incase a parent needs to report in confidence about any act of bullying, however minor, the Head of the Organisation must put a mechanism in place which must also be circulated to parents.

“No Act of Violence which includes physical or sexual abuse, bullying or Ragging will go unnoticed or unpunished’ needs to be clearly stated in the prospectus and other guidelines circulated by the school. Punishment to be meted out incase of a student caught in any act of ragging or bullying should also be clearly spelt out. Parents as well as students need to be aware of the extent of punishment possible.

Drastic action should be taken against the ragger without risking the identity of the victim. The victim needs counseling which may be taken up by a peer mentor or Counselor.

Punishment to be meted out must be commensurate with the gravity of the action. It may vary from suspension in attending classes, collective and heavy fine incase of group offenders and even go to the extent of rustication or expulsion.

Life Skills are being reflected in the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation Card. Any form of deviant or aggressive behaviour must also be recorded in behavioural terms.

Any school which is found to default on any of the above directives will be penalized severely and stringent action to the extent of disaffiliation may be taken against them. In all such cases it is the Head of the Organisation who will be held accountable.