On Tuesday morning, a sports teacher at the Swaminarayan Gurukul School in Jamnagar cut a girl’s hair using a blade as she had not applied oil, according to the school’s rules. This action, intended as a form of discipline, was met with strong objection from the child’s parents, who immediately reported the matter to the District Education Officer. The school management responded by dismissing the teacher responsible, in line with directives from authorities.

The Director of Education at Swaminarayan Gurukul, Shashiben Das, confirmed that the dismissal followed a breach of conduct and restated the school’s approach to discipline: “Hair length is usually managed with prior parental consent or warnings; physically cutting a student’s hair is a grave violation of protocol that warranted immediate action,” she explained. Das also addressed the staff in a special meeting to reinforce proper disciplinary boundaries.

Parents and Community Voice Concerns

The episode has reignited debate over the culture of punishment in Indian schools, with parents highlighting the emotional effects such methods have on children. Anjaliben Gandha, mother of the affected girl, lamented the prevalence of harsh punishments, saying, “Children are frightened of attending school due to punishments for minor mistakes. Even forgetting a book may earn them 100 sit-ups. Pupils now fear the name of school itself.” Other families echoed this sentiment, stressing that children should feel safe and supported rather than fearful.

Aside from Swaminarayan Gurukul, a similar complaint came from Navanagar Government High School, where a teacher reportedly cut a student’s hair for not following grooming rules. Parents in Jamnagar expressed anger at what they labelled as “inhumane discipline practices” and called for urgent reforms to ensure child safety on school campuses.

Authorities Respond

In response to these complaints, District Education Officer Vipul Mehta announced that the Education Department had initiated formal inquiries into both school incidents and issued show-cause notices to the teachers involved. Mehta stated, “Strict action will be taken, and guidance has been given to all schools in the region to prevent such practices from recurring”.

The Education Department is planning awareness programmes for teachers to promote non-violent classroom management and has promised regular monitoring of disciplinary actions in schools. Officials emphasised that corporal punishment and humiliating disciplinary measures are unacceptable and that fostering empathy and dialogue is vital for healthy learning environments.

This troubling episode highlights the need for continuous efforts to protect children’s dignity and mental health. Experts point out that punitive approaches not only harm student confidence but also undermine trust in schools and teachers. The ongoing reforms in Jamnagar’s schools are seen as critical steps towards ending harmful discipline and fostering an environment where children can learn with confidence, respect, and safety.

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