In recent years, physical punishment and psychological abuse in Iranian schools have emerged as serious challenges within the educational system. This issue has been consistently criticized for causing profound psychological problems in students and diminishing their motivation to learn.
Physical punishment, accompanied by humiliation and psychological abuse in some schools, has made the school environment feel like a prison for students. This not only affects children's morale and self-esteem but can also lead to academic decline and dissatisfaction with the learning process.
Anxiety and Disillusionment with School
Evidence suggests that students who face physical punishment, humiliation, or psychological abuse in schools experience anxiety and stress instead of focusing on their studies. This situation leads some to lose their motivation to continue their education, severely impacting their family's mental health.
Untrained Teachers in Public Schools
Careful selection of teachers and providing them with in-service training play a crucial role in preventing physical punishment, humiliation, or psychological abuse of students. In recent years, the urgent need for teachers in classrooms has resulted in a significant number of individuals entering public school classrooms without necessary training, including effective teaching methods and child interaction skills. This issue has repercussions for students and their families.
Breaking a Jaw: The First Case of Physical Punishment This School Year
This year, just two weeks into the new school year, the first case of physical punishment against a student has made headlines. In this unfortunate incident, a teacher in Kahnuj broke the jaw of a 6-year-old student with a slap.
The Kahnuj Education Department announced, "Following the release of a video related to a physical altercation with a student in Kahnuj, the matter is under investigation by the legal authorities of the education department at both the district and provincial levels." They emphasized that any form of physical punishment under any circumstances is strictly prohibited and a red line for the education system, and if proven, the offender will be dealt with according to the law.
Physical Punishment is Prohibited in Schools
According to Article 81 of the executive regulations for schools, physical punishment and mistreatment of students for any reason are prohibited, and offenders will face consequences according to laws and regulations.
Schools can use permissible disciplinary actions to promote desirable behavior among students. According to Article 78 of the executive regulations for schools, permissible disciplinary actions include:
Private verbal warnings
Inviting the student's guardian for clarification
Written warnings and informing the guardian
Class changes with the guardian's knowledge
Temporary expulsion from school with prior notice to the guardian, for a maximum of three days
Transfer to another school
Implementing these measures is not straightforward and requires specific conditions, including obtaining approval from the school council and the education department for transferring a student to another school.
Legal Penalties for Physical Punishment
The Child and Adolescent Support Law defines mistreatment of children and adolescents as any intentional act or omission that endangers the physical, psychological, moral, or social health of a child or adolescent, including physical harm, confinement, sexual abuse, insult, or threat.
Moreover, penalties such as fines and imprisonment have been established for individuals who inflict physical harm and punishment on students.
Despite all these laws, cases of physical punishment in schools continue to persist, and criticisms of the Ministry of Education regarding its lack of serious action against offenders have increased. Many experts and activists in the education sector believe that insufficient oversight and lack of serious follow-up contribute to the continuation of this problem.
Mohammad Reza Kafash, Deputy of the High Council of Education, addressed the disregard for the executive regulations of schools and their provisions, stating that school administrators are obliged to implement these regulations, and any violation constitutes an offense.
He emphasized that physical punishment is a form of mistreatment and is prohibited. Kafash also advised parents to take action through supervisory and judicial authorities if any violations occur.
The Deputy of the High Council of Education reminded that punishment in schools should mean raising awareness, not mistreatment.
He added that Articles 75 to 84 of the executive regulations for schools detail the provisions related to punishment and emphasized that physical punishment is a form of mistreatment and is prohibited. If any school personnel commits this violation, they must answer to judicial authorities and the administrative violations committee.
Creating a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment
According to Tasnim, the only way to eliminate physical punishment in schools is through serious action against offenders. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Ministry of Education has not clearly stated what consequences teachers who have engaged in physical punishment have faced.
Given the importance of creating a safe and healthy learning environment, it is essential for educational authorities to take immediate and serious actions to prevent physical punishment and psychological abuse. Only then can schools be transformed into places for learning and growth.