• Queries what constitutes ‘non-physical punishment’, ‘degrading’   

Teachers’ groups alleged that the recently proposed amendments to the Penal Code seeking to completely prohibit physical and non-physical punishment against children lack clear interpretations, which they said could have an impact on the enforcement of the pertinent laws.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union’s (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin added: “Clear interpretations are necessary – for example, there should be a clear interpretation of what constitutes non-physical punishment. In addition, there should be clarity about what constitutes a degrading act.”

Speaking to the media yesterday (6), he further expressed concerns about the presentation of these Penal Code amendments, pointing out that several circulars have already been issued in 2001, 2005 and in 2016 banning corporal punishment as well as psychological harassment. He explained that action can be taken against the punishment of children even now, based on these circulars, and that there are examples of such instances.

Moreover, Stalin opined that while introducing these Penal Code amendments, the Government has overlooked several more pressing concerns related to the education sector such as teachers’ salary-related issues and the adverse impacts of private tuition classes.