Education Minister focuses on corporal punishment

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Susil Premajayanth yesterday focused special attention on different methods of corporal punishment, carried out by school teachers on students.

Speaking to Sunday Observer, Minister Premajayanth said harsh punishments could bring negative results which could have psychological effects on students in the long run.

The Education Department has issued circulars on the methods in a systematic way thus to avoid problems.

The Minister had given a patient hearing to certain incidents that had occurred in Colombo schools in the past where some students had to be hospitalised due to injuries sustained.

The Minister, however, advised regular meetings between parents, teachers and students, to help minimize such situations.

The Minister also welcomed complaints from parents so that inquiries could be held to find remedial methods.