6-year-old in hospital after teacher hits her

In a shocking incident, a six-year-old student of the private Sir J.J. Primary School in Parel was rushed to civic-run KEM Hospital on Thursday after her Maths teacher allegedly hit her with a duster on her back, hands and legs for not doing her homework and making mistakes in studies. Meanwhile, the Kala Chowki police has reported a written complaint against the Maths teacher.

The schoolgirl in question, Swati Sonar, is currently in the paediatric ward of the hospital for high fever and swelling on her back, hands and legs. Swati told The Asian Age, “My Maths teacher hit me with a duster because I did not complete my homework. I was so scared. After the incident, my friends started teasing me. Now, I am scared to face my teacher.”

Swati’s grandmother, Kamla Sonal, said, “Swati was crying when we picked her up from school. She said her Maths teacher had beaten her as she could not complete her home assignments and made small errors. She complained of swelling due to the beating.”

Kamla further said, “Swati passed urine when the teacher was hitting her; she is scared. Punishment should be meted out but not like this. The teacher should have given her more homework or made her write tables rather than beating her in this manner.”

Speaking about the complaint against the teacher, senior police inspector Dilip Ugale said, “We have taken cognisance and we will be investigating the matter. We have informed the principal regarding this incident. We will take necessary action.”

Child psychologist Dr Ali Gabrani said, “Basically, corporal punishment is not the solution; education should be imparted in a fun manner. Such an incident can cause trauma and mental illness in the child. If the child is weak, she should be counseled.”

School children’s counselor, Quaiser Khalid IPS, said, “I oppose such violent behaviour. The school should teach kids in an amusing way instead of beating them. Teachers should spread the message of love, peace and harmony with their skills.”

Despite repeated attempts to contact them, the school authorities remained silent.