Can Teachers Beat Students in CBSE​? Take a Right Step

Taking admission in schools is not limited to quality education. Parents look for more and better facilities. From a supportive environment to a child’s safety and security, every aspect matters.

One common query parents and students always have in mind is whether teachers beat students in CBSE or not. Another important issue: What happens if a teacher beats students?

We know you have a lot of questions, and this guide will help you out in finding the right step in difficult situations.

Can teachers beat students in CBSE​?

A simple answer to this question is no. Teachers don’t have any right to beat students in CBSE​. This is because the CBSE board follows strict guidelines in which every individual needs to follow a zero-tolerance approach or policy towards corporal punishment. This means no CBSE teachers can legally hit or humiliate students.

Laws against child beating in school

To punish this unlawful behaviour, first we need to take knowledge of specific laws against child beating in school.

1. Right of children to free and compulsory education (RTE) act, 2009

To avoid any kind of physical abuse and mental harassment of students in schools and classrooms, it is a law designed to protect children between 6 and 14.

2. Indian Penal Code (IPC) & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

For corporal punishment, it is another ideal way through which offenders get punished. The behaviour is legally offensive, which comes under Section 74 (or previously Section 323 of the IPC) for voluntarily causing hurt.

3. CBSE affiliation bye-laws and guidelines

As per the CBSE guidelines, the affiliated schools need to follow certain rules like maintaining the environment, prohibiting corporal punishment, and establishing complaints against wrong behaviour.

4. Juvenile justice act for care and protection of children, 2015

It is a law for child protection that treats child cruelty by punishing teachers who commit violence against students in school.

Under this, teachers often get punishment like:

• Three years in prison or a fine

What punishment can a teacher face?

After understanding that teachers can’t beat students in CBSE​ and it is an unlawful approach. Parents often ask questions like:

What Punishment Can A Teacher Face?

A teacher who performs this wrong act of violence or harassment gets punished in several ways depending on the intensity and seriousness of the incident.

Considering reasons like poor academic report or performance in the classroom does not give the right to humiliate a student in a physical or emotional manner. Pushing, slapping, pinching, hitting, dragging, etc are prohibited in CBSE-affiliated schools.

If a teacher is guilty, then some major punishments they need to face are:

• For minor first-time violations of CBSE guidelines, schools often give warnings and record the incident for future use.

• In serious allegations, teachers get suspended while the investigation is going on.

• In a lawful manner, schools can take crucial steps by initiating a departmental inquiry.

• After the allegations are proved, the schools have the power to terminate the teacher from service.

• Depending on the seriousness, the incident may be reported to the police.

• Financial compensation is another punishment a teacher faces if they are found guilty.

Legal actions that can be taken against a teacher for beating a student in CBSE​

Legal actions parents can take against a teacher for beating a student in CBSE​:

1. Criminal charges (Indian Penal Code / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)

Voluntarily causing hurt includes charges under:

• Section 323 of the IPC

A teacher is punishable with up to 1 year in jail, a fine, or both.

A weapon or object used to hit comes under:

• Section 326 of the IPC

Punishment of up to 10 years or life imprisonment, along with a fine.

Assault or criminal force charged under:

• Section 352 of the IPC

Imprisonment up to 3 months, or a fine up to Rs. 500, or both.

Criminal intimidation charged under:

• Section 506 of the IPC

Imprisonment extending up to 2 years, a fine, or both.

2. Child protection laws: Juvenile justice act (JJ act)

Section 75 of the JJ Act

• Cruelty to a child can lead to punishment of up to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of up to 5 lakh rupees.

Section 17 of the RTE Act

• Physical punishment and mental harassment are punishable offences.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the journey helped you understand some of the important questions related to the safety of a student in CBSE schools and classrooms.

The answer to a major question like can teachers beat students in CBSE​ is no. It is prohibited as per the law. Teachers need to maintain the decorum of the learning environment.

As a teacher, parent, and student, one needs to take the lawful steps to support each other.

Frequently asked questions