Hyderabad: Parents want teachers' actions to be recorded

HYDERABAD: Qualifications and experience should not be the sole criteria for hiring teachers, say parents’ associations in Telangana after the alarming video surfaced of a hostel warden thrashing two Class VII boys with a wooden stick while making them do a headstand.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had issued a notice after the now famous Ryan murder case in Delhi, directing all affiliated schools to conduct evaluation tests of teaching staff, which is yet to be implemented. 

Teacher Vandana Mohan says, “We are yet to receive further notifications about it. Parents ke-ep asking us to begin, but we are waiting for a list of recognised psychologists deputed by CBSE along with rules we must follow. It is not an activity that a school can undertake on its own.”

Psychologists say that behavioural tests could reveal many characteristics of the candidate such as problems with controlling anger, a tendency to lie, the emotional quotient etc.

“It is a matter of growing concern that teachers are recruited without behavioural assessme-nt,” says psychologist Bharat Kumar Reddy.

“Many teachers carry emotional baggage from home and take out their frustrations on students, which is wrong. These tests will help determine if a person is fit for the job of a teacher that requires interaction among students on a daily basis.”

According to police off-icials, most cases of corporal punishment are booked against teachers who cane young children between the ages of 6 and 13. 

Priya Reddy, a psychologist, says, “Most of these people are repeat offenders who happen to be caught by chance on camera or by a parent. They pick on young children because they know that these children will not revert. It’s all about showing aggression and dominance over young children who they know will be too scared to complain about it to their parents.”

She said the mental impact of these punishments is far greater on young minds than the physical pain, and many students take drastic  steps when they are humiliated in front of their peers. Corporal punishment is meted out for such trivial issues such as not completing homework. 

Parents want schools to conduct behavioural tests when hiring staff but also have annual appraisals. 

Mayuri Mohan, a parent of a sixth standard student, says, “It is alarming to note the increase in the number of corporal punishment cases. There should be a record of all teachers and their behaviour throughout the year. Teachers might face financial or family problems, but they must not bring that to the class.”