Kathmandu— The impact of a teacher’s actions extends far beyond academic lessons, with lasting emotional consequences for students, particularly when those actions involve public embarrassment. A recent account details how a teacher singled out an overweight student to speak about exercise, leading to feelings of humiliation and diminished confidence. This incident underscores a broader issue: that bullying isn't always physical, and seemingly benign disciplinary tactics can inflict deep psychological harm on children.

The Hidden Harm of Public Correction

Teachers sometimes employ public correction as a method for addressing student misbehavior, such as asking late students to discuss punctuality or those involved in conflicts to explain the value of friendship. While intended as lessons, this approach can easily cross the line into humiliation and emotional abuse. The distinction between correcting a child and embarrassing them is crucial, as a child may internalize negative experiences differently than an adult intends.

Beyond Physical Bullying

Bullying often conjures images of physical aggression, but it encompasses subtler forms of harm. Public humiliation, repeated embarrassment, body shaming, intimidation, and making a child feel inferior can all inflict deep emotional wounds. An adult might rationalize their actions as simply ‘teaching a lesson,’ but the message received by the child could be one of inherent inadequacy.

Legal Frameworks and Child Protection

Nepal’s legal framework recognizes children's rights to protection from various forms of torture, both physical and mental. The Children Act of 2075 specifically addresses violence, degrading treatment, intimidation, and behaviors that cause mental suffering, establishing child protection as a matter of upholding fundamental rights—not merely kindness. This legal basis supports the need for schools to move beyond physical punishment and address emotional harm.

The Need for Teacher Training

To effectively protect children’s emotional well-being, regular training for teachers in areas like child psychology, positive discipline, emotional well-being, and child protection is essential. Municipalities and rural municipalities should prioritize supporting schools in providing these crucial professional development opportunities. Such training can help educators understand the impact of their behavior and adopt more constructive approaches to discipline.

Creating Safe and Respectful School Environments

Schools must establish clear rules regarding student treatment and implement safe reporting systems for students who feel threatened, bullied, or humiliated. Prioritizing listening to children’s experiences is paramount; instead of dismissing concerns as oversensitivity, adults should take them seriously and investigate fairly. Recognizing and respecting the diverse interests, personalities, and learning styles of each child is also vital, fostering an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than grounds for punishment.

The focus in education must shift towards creating safe spaces where children feel respected, valued, and empowered to learn without fear of emotional harm. Measuring a school’s success should encompass not only academic achievements but also the overall well-being and sense of safety experienced by its students.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.