The move comes in the wake of the Rouvanjit Rawla case — the 13 year old student from La Martiniere Boys’ in Kolkata was allegedly driven to commit suicide after the Principal caned him. While the Kolkata school is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), CBSE is taking a cue from the tragedy and putting precautionary measures in place.

Senior HRD Ministry officials said that while CBSE has generalised guidelines against any kind of corporal punishment, the board feels that specific instructions need to be given to schools to ensure accountability in case of lapses by authorities. More humane alternatives to corporal punishment will also be suggested, sources said. CBSE had written to all schools affiliated to it in July 22 on the issue and reiterated its stand against corporal punishment in 2008. The board had suggested that teachers should instead be encouraged “to adopt alternative strategies to corporal punishment” and ensure a ‘fearless’ environments to students.

Rule 44.1 of the CBSE affiliation bye-laws empowers the school Managing Committee to take action against an employee if he is charged with cruelty towards any students or employee of the school.