ICT schools to decide complaints of corporal punishment in 15 days: Rules

Educational institutions in Islamabad are to decide any complaint of corporal punishment and abuse within 15 days, according to rules notified for the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act 2021.

Every educational institution in the federal capital territory will constitute at least one or more prohibition of corporal punishment committees with the head of the institution as chairperson under the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Rules, 2022, notified by the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training on February 2. The prohibition of corporal punishment committee will comprise representatives of the management, and parents and teachers association as its members.

The committee will investigate all complaints regarding allegations or suspicion that a child has been subjected to corporal and physical punishment or abuse in its respective institution. It has also been tasked with the protection of the affected or victim child including emotional, psychological, physical, and medical support.

Under the rules,  a complaint against corporal or physical punishment in an educational institution can be registered with its prohibition of corporal punishment committee by a child, parent, guardian, or next of kin. The committee can also consider anonymous complaints that provide corroborative evidence of corporal and physical punishment or abuse.

 

The committee will investigate and decide on the complaint within 15 days after it is received. It can also refer the complaint to the appropriate authority which may further investigate the case before taking any decision against the accused person. In cases of severe child abuse, exploitation, and violence, the committee will immediately inform the police or a  relevant officer of child protection authority in Islamabad’s capital territory for immediate action under the applicable laws.

The prohibition committee will conduct an inquiry or investigation into cases of corporal or physical punishment or abuse in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the child and maintains the integrity of the process.

The rules also provide for temporary shelter or safe accommodation to victim children subjected to corporal punishment or abuse. The committee is to approach the social welfare department and its child protection units to make arrangements for immediate temporary protection and safe accommodation of the child.

The rules also call on educational institutions to maintain an online complaint procedure through a website for the knowledge of the public at large. The institutions will upload all laws, rules, reports, instructions, and any other documents relating to corporal punishment or abuse on their website.