Punjab Moves to Ban Corporal Punishment in Schools

The Punjab government has agreed to introduce legislation to eliminate corporal punishment in schools. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlighted how physical violence can have long-lasting effects on children's lives. During a special meeting focused on education reforms, officials discussed alternatives to physical punishment, such as establishing "discipline corners" in classrooms.

The meeting also addressed plans to reduce the volume of textbooks by 25%, with the aim of shifting classroom learning away from rote memorization towards a deeper understanding of concepts. QR codes will be included in the new textbooks, allowing students to access video lessons related to various topics. Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of addressing student mental health, pledging to provide teachers with mental health training and to place visiting faculty psychologists in every district.

The government plans to dedicate one day each week to teacher training, during which authors of the new textbooks will train educators on how to effectively use the revised materials.