CBSE schools gear up to tackle ragging

Updated on: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Central Board of Secondary Education feels that ragging in schools is rampant and immediate steps need to be taken.

A circular has been sent to schools across the country, asking them to strictly follow certain guidelines. When city schools reopen later this week, a series of activities will start to ensure that all the pointers in the circular are met.

Heads of city schools say that they were initially surprised at the sternness of the circular. “There have often been incidents of physical and sexual abuse in schools which are brushed under the carpet and not reported even to parents as it may harm the reputation of the institute,” the circular reads and warns schools that the Board has devised its own information network and any such incident reported to it would entail heavy punishment.

“While it is true that ragging in schools is a little different in nature from ragging in colleges, one cannot deny that such incidents happen in schools. In case schools try to argue about the definition, the circular clearly mentions the kinds of disorderly conduct among schoolkids that can be called ‘ragging’,” said Mukta Nain, principal of Birla High School for Boys. “Teasing, rudeness, abuse through words, e-mails, public insults, bullying or anything that causes physical, mental or emotional stress should be considered as ragging.”

City school heads agree that bullying or aggression among kids is on the rise. They say that the worst sufferers are newcomers, especially in the senior classes or Plus-Two section.

“It would be wrong to say that only kids are offenders because teachers also rag kids! Only two months ago, we had to get rid of a senior teacher who was rude and hurtful to students she disliked as a matter of habit. Parents had to get together and give this in writing and the management finally decided to ask her to leave,” said Malini Bhagat, principal of Mahadevi Birla Girls’ HS School.

The circular also mentions counselling, which, school heads feel, is equally important.

The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (East), which runs 45 KV schools in the eastern region has decided to start an evaluation card for students where all forms of deviant or aggressive behaviour would be recorded in behavioural terms.

“In some schools bullying is a common problem. They can now be put in check. I am bringing this circular to the notice of my students and parents,” said the principal of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Meena Kak.

CBSE schools gear up to tackle ragging

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