Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Despite laws prohibiting corporal punishment, a total of 12 cases of physical punishment against students have been reported in government and government-aided schools in Goa over the past three years, according to a reply tabled in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The reply stated that seven of these cases were reported in 2025 alone, all involving government-aided schools.
In one incident reported in December 2024, an inquiry conducted by the government concluded that the teacher involved was mentally unstable. In another case from a school in Mapusa in 2025, the institution imposed a minor penalty on the teacher by withholding one increment of pay under the relevant service rules.
Of the cases reported last year, inquiries are still underway in three instances. In two other cases, the teachers concerned were suspended for periods of up to six months.
A separate incident involving a government higher secondary school in South Goa also revealed mental health concerns. According to the inquiry report submitted by the deputy director of education, the teacher was found to have a disturbed state of mind and erratic behaviour. Based on these findings, the teacher was advised not to be assigned teaching duties and was transferred to the South Educational Zone office in Margao.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in September 2024 at a government-aided primary school in Bardez taluka, where a Class IV student reportedly suffered severe injuries. An FIR was filed against two teachers — Sujal Gawade from Verem and Kanisha Gadekar from Pirna — in connection with the case. Authorities approved the suspension of a regular teacher and directed the school management to conduct a detailed and impartial inquiry, while the services of contractual teachers involved were terminated.
The assembly reply also mentioned two cases reported in 2023 at government primary schools. In both instances, the teachers were cleared of the allegations. One case was deemed not maintainable, while in the other the complainant did not appear during the proceedings.
The government has directed schools to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy against corporal punishment. Institutions have also been instructed to establish grievance redressal mechanisms and provide counselling support for students.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated in the reply that teachers are being provided training to better understand and respond to the emotional and psychological needs of students.
