Ayush was a young boy of 10 studying in a school only consisting of boys. He was not aggressive like other boys and was generally a calm and quiet child. He did not like football and other games played by boys of his age. He was soft-spoken and quiet, not boisterous like his other classmates. He loved dance and studying. Sadly, a few boys in his class started being mean to him and bullying him every day.

They would call him names like ‘girly’ and ‘Ayushi’ instead of Ayush! They used to tease him everyday. They would tell him he was like a girl and crack jokes about him. They constantly made fun of him and this teasing almost drove him to depression. He would be on the verge of tears everyday after school and cried himself to sleep every night.

Sadly and unfortunately incidents like the above do occur in schools. The term is known as bullying and it is a very humiliating and painful experience for the victim. But right steps taken by parents and teachers at the right time can help the child to cope with the situation.

(The above story is completely fictitious and has been written to dramatize a situation of a child being bullied.)

Here is a small presentation made by children’s advisory board (CAB) of Plan India for the children on bullying and how to fight bullying in their respective environments http://www.slideshare.net/LWFIndia/bullying-a-painful-experience

Have you ever been bullied or been a bully? Have you ever witnessed children in school being harassed and teased by others? To share your tips, views, and experiences, please leave your comment.

Who are at the Risk of Being Bullied?

It is very often children with special needs, handicapped children, overweight children, children who are shy and anxious and others with certain psychological traits who become victims of bullying.
Studies show that overweight adolescents are more likely to be bullied by their classmates than those of normal weight. The bullies pass nasty comments on them and tease them. Children with a handicap or a disability are often an easy target. Bullies often target those with disabilities because they are easier to pick on. These children generally don’t fight back or complain about it especially if they have an inability to communicate properly.

Effects of Bullying on Children

Bullied children often feel neglected and lonely. They are made fun of and left out of groups on purpose. At such times the support and care of parents and teachers will help them to fight bullies. Children who are being bullied dislike going to school and the very thought of going to school makes them fearful and uneasy. Bullying can also have long-term effects on both the bullies and the bullied. Studies show that bullies are more likely to engage in criminal activity at a young age itself .Children who have been bullied are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, loneliness and other negative emotions. In some severe cases the bullied child may also experience unwanted thoughts. Therefore, it is very necessary for parents to take the right steps to help their child to come out of this situation.

Why are some Children Bullies?

There are many reasons why some children bully others. Bullies are children who like to dominate others. Bullies are often children who want to feel important and want to make themselves popular. Bullying children who are weaker than themselves makes them feel big and powerful. Some children who bully are attention-seeking. Children who do not get emotional support at home and are not given attention at home may try to attract attention towards themselves in the classroom through bullying. In some cases, a child who is bullied sometimes ends up bullying others. Other factors such as teacher’s indifference to the victims and bad disciplining by parents of bullies can also cause bullying.

On 20th of November 2009, a state consultation meeting was organized by Plan India with the stake holders like SCERT, NCERT, All India Primary Teachers’ Federation, Education Ministry, SSA, NGOs, NCPCR, State commission etc to meet and strategize implementation of guidelines for reporting mechanisms recently issued by the Directorate of Education to stop violence in schools

The state consultation meeting was a huge success and helped chart out recommendations for each stakeholder group, which, if implemented could help go a long way to create an environment which is conducive for fearless learning for children.

The consultation was attended by representatives from DCPCR, MCD, SSA, AIPTF, and Civil society organizations like Chetna, Shiksha, Save the Children etc.

The key take away from the consultation was:

• Training of teachers at all levels
• Inclusion of rights of children issue in curriculum for teacher training
• Children’s participation should be increased in all aspects
• Strengthening of Parents teacher Association through improved availability of platforms
• To assess the root cause of the issue (violence in schools) and try to manage the bottlenecks
• Focus on development of friendly environment in and around school premises
• Positive Information, Education and communication campaign including posters/messages in schools
• Alternatives to punishment need to be drafted out and made part of the Teacher training programs
A key aspect which was drawn during the consultation was a strong reporting mechanism which would help students voice their opinions and complaints to the right authorities. Some of the key suggestions to improve these reporting mechanisms are:

• Suggestion boxes in schools for children
• Class/School monitors who can act as observers and reporting messengers
• Democracy game in schools to be promoted
• Orientation of  Child welfare committee

All participants agreed that teachers remain the core to all the above mandates and they will be always be the driving factor in developing and implementing any all suggestion listed above.

The representatives from Government organizations assured their full support for piloting the above in some sample schools. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is presently undertaking training to Parent Teacher Association members of all the schools in Delhi who has extended their full support and invited to join the training program.

Please do let us know if you think of any further initiatives which could be undertaken to help create a fearless learning environment for children.

2 out of every 3 children reported being physically abused. 62% of the reported corporal punishment was reported in government and municipal schools in India * Ministry of women and child development

Presently, punishment as a form of discipline is prevalent and also considered an unavoidable part of growing up. Teachers also feel that they use corporal punishments not to hurt children but to discipline them as they themselves were turned right in the same way by their teachers and parents. Therefore there is no harm in using corporal punishment in schools.

The fact remains that corporal punishment breaches children’s fundamental rights to respect for human dignity and physical integrity. Corporal punishment does not really work. It only creates an environment of fear and distrust between children and teachers and should be replaced by non-violent methods of discipline.

Learn without Fear, Plan’s second global advocacy campaign, is about preventing all forms of violence against children in schools. The vision is to make a world where children can go to school in safety and expect a quality learning experience without fear or threats of violence. To achieve this it is important that first teachers as well as students acknowledge the fact that it is the right of the child to feel safe and protected. Many child rights organizations have been engaged in generating this awareness on children’s rights to protection. The challenge now is to have clear reporting mechanisms in place where children could report any kind of assault or abuse they face in or outside the school and it is appropriately addressed. There is a need to involve teachers, parents teachers associations, students to work together to create an atmosphere of trust and safety in schools.

In order to have reporting mechanisms for children in schools, it is important to have views of likeminded people from various backgrounds like representatives from school, SCERT, NCERT, All India, Primary Teachers’ Federation, Education Ministry, SSA, NGOs, INGOs, NCPCR, State commission etc and strategize to facilitate implementation of guidelines for reporting mechanisms recently issued by the Directorate of Education. 

As 20th November is recognized as International Children’ Day, it is the right time to begin thinking on developing reporting mechanisms for children so that they are able to expedite their right to protection. Hence, a state consultation is being organized with the key stake holders for taking these guidelines to schools and strategizing its implementation at school level. Some of the key dignitaries who will be part of this consultation are  Swatantra Bala, Additional Directorate of Education, MCD Shri. Amod Kanth Chairperson DCPCR, Mr. Ram Pal, President All India Primary Teachers’ Federation and Key dignitaries from Ministry of Education

Since the circular issued by the office of Directorate Education on additional guidelines to address corporal punishment in schools, is a very timely intervention from the government, the proposed state consultation will be a step ahead to facilitate implementation of these guidelines. Further, in this platform the Code of Professional Ethics for Teachers developed by All India Primary Teachers’ Federation will also be shared with other stakeholders.

We will share the proposed guidelines discussed in the above platform in our next post.

Please follow us at @LWFIndia on twitter to get live updates on the state consultation briefing to be held in Delhi on 20th November 2009, 11am (IST) onwards.

Background

Each year an estimated 40 million children are abused; 150 million girls and 73 million boys have experienced some kind of sexual violence. Although research in India on this subject is limited, violence against children is prevalent and widespread. According to a study conducted by Women and Child Development 2 out of every 3 children reported being physically abused. Following abuse at home, schools are the next largest environment where abuse is reported. More than 60% of the corporal punishment in India is reported from government and municipal schools.

The Campaign

Learn Without Fear, Plan India’s advocacy Campaign is about preventing all forms of violence in schools. The campaign is driven against all forms of violence against children however it primarily targets at corporal punishment, sexual violence and bullying.

Vision for the Campaign

To create a world where children can go to school in safety and expect a quality learning experience without fear or threats of violence.

Aim of the Campaign

- Raise awareness on the rights of children to learn in a safe (violence free) environment in schools and the negative impact violence on children.

- Advocate the government agencies for effective enforcement of legal protection for children, including making corporal punishment illegal in schools.

- Advocate for the development of support and reporting mechanisms for children against violence in schools.

- Ensure access to methods of positive engagement in classrooms for teachers/ institutions.

Ramu reaches school and is beaten up by the teacher for breaking the rules

On his way back home, Ramu goes over his day telling himself that he must finish the heap of work assigned to him at school. He reminds himself of the severe beating that he will receive from his teacher if he failed to finish his homework for the next day.

After reaching Ramu breaks down and starts crying while trying to finish his loads of homework and tells his mother that he does not want to go to school anymore. His mother dos not understand the reason and in turn threatens him with his father setting his thinking right if he disagreed to go to school.

When Ramu’s father comes home, he is also very upset with his son’s behaviour and blames him of wasting all the money he earns working hard and trying to get him educated. He then, beats Ramu and threatens him to severe consequences.

Ramu has no other choice but to go to school the next day. To know what happens the next day with him is depicted in our next series

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities

Why get a beating? A series of cartoon strips to put forth the immense psychological pressures which children go through in schools with teachers and parents often resorting to violence. This is Ramu’s story on how he was treated when he went late to school.

Ramu leaves his home like every morning to go to school and his mother tells him to have a good day.

Back in school, the teacher warns all the students to start moving inside the school building and threatening not to spare the late comers

Ramu is already late to school and is capsized by the fear of getting punished…. How will Ramu be treated is a story depicted in the next series.

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities

The cartoon strip makes a case for female emancipation in a society where women venturing out of the house are looked down upon. A girl is refused to go to a picnic in town on account of her being a girl. At that moment the village chief arrives and allows the girl to go to the town. He expains to her parents that there’s nothing wrong in a girl going out to enjoy herself.

A very bright girl is forced to leave school owing to her parent’s dwindling financial resources. One of her teachers comes forth to help the girl continue her education by providing her monetary help. The girl grows up and become a successful lawyer. She thanks her teacher for supporting her and credits him for her success.

A student is severely beaten up by his teacher when he fails to answer the question asked by the teacher correctly. The student complains to the school authorities. As a result, the errant teacher is brought to the task by the authorities. The teacher realises his mistake and vows never to beat up children again.

The cartoon highlights the shameful crime of sexual abuse in schools and its traumatic effect on the victim. A girl is molested by her teacher in the school. She feels quite traumitised but due to her mortification doesn’t tell her parents anything about the incident. The next day when her mother asks her to go to the school she refuses on the pretext of illness.

You can click on the images to view them in their original sizes in a separate window.

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities

This cartoon strip brings to light how boys are privileged over girls in Indian households.
A boy comes home after playing with his friends. His mother offers him milk to overcome his fatigue. But when the girl asks for milk after finishing the household chores, she refuses. The girl feels neglected and rues the discrimination that the girl child has to face at their homes.

This comic strip highlights a girl’s strong will and her efforts to educate herself. The girl is refused to attend school by her mother as she wants her to help her with the household chores. However, the girl doesn’t lose heart and decides to squeeze time out from household chores and attend school regularly.

This comic strip gives out the positive message of how hard work brings rich rewards. A boy steals his classmates geometry box.  He complains to his parents and the boy is beaten up by his father.  However, his teacher calls the boy and explains to him the importance of hard work. He promises the boy that if he would stand first in the class he’ll reward him with a geometry box. Encouraged by teacher’s kind words, the boy works hard and tops his class and gets rewarded with the promised  geometery box.

The comic strip highlights how domestic violence can spoil a child’s life and scar her forever. A girl is caught talking in the class by her teacher. The teacher in her anger thrashes her so severely that the girl loses her hand forever. When the teacher comes to know about the girl’s predicament she realizes her mistake and feels sad for the girl.

You can click on the images to view them in their original sizes in a separate window.

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities

Tarun goes out to get chalk for the teacher’s convinience before he arrives in the class but is beaten up by the teacher for getting the chalks without his permission. Tarun complains to the headmaster who reprimands the teacher for his misconduct. The teacher realizes his mistake and asks for Tarun’s forgiveness.

A boy reaches school late and is severely punished by the teacher. He is made to clean the school, stand in the sun and beaten up with a stick for his non-punctuality. The boy feels sad and vows to reach school on time.

A girl gets late for school due to household chores and requests a friend to drop her to school on his bicycle. Her brother’s friend sees this and complains to her father. On returning home she is badly scolded by her father for going with a boy and her studies are discontinued.

A newly appointed teacher drinks in the class and neglects his duty as a teacher. One day he gives his students some problems to solve at home which none of them succeed in solving as they had not been taught anything by the teacher. The teacher gets angry and beats up the students severely. The students complain to the principal who reprimands the errant teacher. The teacher realizes his mistake and vows to mend his ways.

You can click on the images to view them in their original sizes in a separate window.

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities

The following comic strip highlights the all pervasive issue of gender discrimination in India. A farmer whole heartedly supports his son’s decision to join a computer course while discourages his daughter to join an embroidery course on account of her being a girl. According to the farmer its worthwhile to invest in his son’s educational betterment as he would support the family when he grows up while a girl has to ultimately settle down with her in-laws family.

This Comic strip again highlights the issue of gender discrimination prevalent in Indian households. A man encourages his son to go to Lucknow in search of a good job while sees household chores as the only job fit for her daughter. The daughter protests against her father’s discriminatory attitude and is badly snubbed by her father.

The following comic strip appeals for equal opportunities for the girl and the boy child. A man offers his thanks to God because he “blessed” him with a boy after two girls to support his household. On hearing this his daughter protests against her father’s attitude. She tells him that a girl, given an opportunity is equally capable of supporting her family. The father realises his mistake and vows never to discriminate among his children.

The comic strip shows how gender discrimination can be eradicated with education. A boy learns about the ill effects of gender discrimination at school. When he comes home he tells his parents about the need to educate the girl child and convinces them to send his sister to school with him.

You can click on the images to view them in their original sizes in a separate window.

Please note these cartoon strips by children are based on what they see in their schools and not actual happenings. Also, the name of the children who have created the strips have been omitted to protect their identities