MCD takes Bollywood route to teach teachers sensitivity for special kids

According to MCD officials,the film-screening programme aims to do away with corporal punishment,control the rage of teachers,and raise their awareness about child psychology. The first film to be screened in the programme is Taare Zameen Par,a telling tale of using alternative teaching methods for a dyslexic child.

The programme will also have films like Parichay,about teaching children who are thought of as ‘difficult,and Paathshala,a forthcoming title,an MCD official said.

Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra said,“We have always tried these initiatives and this is just another method we are trying.”

While Shanno’s is the latest case of alleged corporal punishment,there have been other similar instances in municipal schools in recent past. Here are a few incidents:

March 27,2008: A 15-year-old succumbed to injuries after she slipped into coma after a teacher allegedly hit her for refusing his private tuitions.

March 18,2008: Ten children were injured when a teacher at the MCD school in Ashok Nagar,East Delhi,hit them with a rod to keep them under control while eating their midday meals. The children had to be hospitalised with injuries on head,arms and legs.

February 21,2008: Pradeep Kumar,a teacher of at an MCD school in Metro Vihar,Narela,allegedly beat up two Class V students,Anil and Narendra,with a stick. Anil sustained minor injuries on his back and head; Narendra was hit on the face.

September 30,2007: A kindergarten girl student of Star Shine Public School in West Delhi was asked to strip in front of the class as punishment for not doing homework.