According to the affidavit filed by the DSE, it had issued a circular on January 22, 2009 to stop corporal punishment in schools at the primary and secondary levels. But it was not implemented in nine districts in the primary level and 11 districts at the secondary level.

The Calcutta High Court had directed the state government on February 6, 2004 to stop corporal punishment as it might cause serious physical and mental injuries to students.

Advocate Tapash Bhanja had filed a public interest litigation in May 2009, alleging that corporal punishment had not stopped in the schools, despite the court order.

The Calcutta High Court had directed the DSE last Friday to file a status report on the steps being taken to stop corporal punishment in schools.

The affidavit filed by Dibyen Mukherjee, Director of the DSE, says that it had issued a circular on June 29, 2004 to all the district inspectors (DIs) of schools at the primary and secondary levels to stop corporal punishment in schools. After five years it issued another circular on January 22, 2009 directing all the DIs to implement the six-point recommendation to stop corporal punishment.

According to the affidavit, the circular issued on January 22 was not implemented in Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, West Midnapore, Burdwan, South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas, Kolkata, Darjeeling at the primary level and in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Birbhum, Burdwan, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia and Darjeeling at the secondary level.

The circular recommended that all students be informed through campaigns and publicity drives that they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bring it to the notice of the authorities. The DSE also recommended forming a forum in schools where children can express their views.

According to the recommendation, some teachers should act as counsellors and schools could also install drop boxes where students could place their problems in writing. There has to be a monthly meeting of Parents-Teachers Association or any other body to review the complaints.