The Punjab government has agreed in principle to introduce legislation aimed at ending corporal punishment in schools and replacing it with more constructive disciplinary methods.
The proposal was discussed during a special education reforms meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Officials suggested establishing “discipline corners” inside classrooms as an alternative to physical punishment.
The chief minister stressed that physical violence against children can have lasting effects and called for safer and more supportive ways to manage student discipline.
The proposed reforms are part of a wider plan to improve education across Punjab. The government has also approved changes to the school curriculum, including a 25 percent reduction in the volume of textbooks. New books are expected to include QR codes that will allow students to access video lessons.
The government is also planning mental health training for teachers and has considered appointing visiting psychologists in every district. Online counselling facilities for students were also discussed.
The latest proposal comes despite Punjab having previously issued a notification in 2018 imposing a complete ban on corporal punishment in educational institutions. Recent reports of physical punishment have continued to raise concerns about enforcement.
The new legislation, if introduced and approved, would provide a renewed legal framework for preventing physical punishment and promoting alternative approaches to student discipline across Punjab.
