Parliament to debate Penal Code Amendment Bill banning all forms of school punishment today

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Parliament is scheduled to debate the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill today, which seeks to ban both physical and non-physical punishment of children in schools and other institutions.   

If passed, the legislation will prohibit corporal punishment as well as acts of public humiliation, thereby offering broader protection to children. The Bill explicitly criminalizes actions such as inflicting physical harm on a child for refusing to study, punishing a child for bullying another student, or humiliating a child in front of a school assembly for minor infractions such as theft. It also bars school prefects from physically punishing fellow students.   

The Bill defines two categories of punishable conduct namely physical acts intended to cause pain or discomfort, regardless of severity, non-physical acts intended to cause embarrassment or emotional distress.   

These protections will apply to all children, including those in state custody, training schools, school hostels, children’s homes, daycare centres, and children with disabilities.   

Those found guilty of violating the law may face imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, fines of up to Rs. 100,000, or both. Courts may also order the offender to compensate the victim. If the perpetrator is under 18 years of age, a reduced prison term may be considered.   

Meanwhile, the opposition has proposed an amendment to the Bill. The amendment, submitted by MP Ajith P. Perera to the Secretary General’s office last evening, seeks to provide legal protection to teachers or school authorities who can prove that the punishment was administered with genuine intent to correct a child’s behaviour and guide them in the right direction.