Gujarat Teacher Dismissed After Cutting Student’s Hair as Punishment

Jamnagar, Gujarat— A sports teacher at Swaminarayan Gurukul School in Jamnagar has been dismissed after cutting a girl student’s hair with a blade as punishment for failing to apply hair oil. The incident prompted swift action by the state’s education authorities following a parent’s complaint.

On the morning of Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the teacher reportedly cut the student’s hair during school hours, citing her failure to apply oil. The child’s parents filed a written complaint with the District Education Officer (DEO) in Jamnagar.

The school’s Director of Education, Shashiben Das, confirmed that the punishment violated the institution’s code of conduct. “We don't allow our children to grow their hair long, and if they don't cut their hair, we even warn their parents. However, this wasn't the case. The physical education teacher cut the child's hair, which is why we dismissed him.” she said.

District Education Officer Vipul Mehta stated that a similar complaint was received from Navanagar Government High School, where another teacher allegedly cut a student’s hair. The Education Department has issued show-cause notices in both cases and has started formal inquiries.

The student’s mother, Anjaliben Gandha, expressed concern over harsh disciplinary practices in schools. She said children are often punished with physical tasks like “100 sit-ups” for minor mistakes, which creates fear rather than a supportive learning environment.

Corporal punishment, defined as any physical force intended to cause pain or discomfort, remains one of the most common forms of violence against children worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.2 billion children annually. According to the World Health Organization, even mild forms of corporal punishment carry risks, as they can escalate over time and are associated with negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, and reduced cognitive development.

The practice not only causes immediate physical and emotional harm but also normalizes violence, increasing the likelihood that children will exhibit aggressive behavior later in life. WHO emphasizes that corporal punishment violates children’s rights to dignity and protection from cruel treatment, urging countries to enact legal bans, promote positive discipline strategies, and shift social norms toward non-violent caregiving and education. ¹

Following the incident, the Swaminarayan Gurukul School administration immediately terminated the teacher’s employment. Education authorities have warned schools across Jamnagar that such disciplinary actions will not be tolerated. Officials emphasized that all schools must follow child-friendly discipline practices that do not humiliate or harm students.

Reference:

1. World Health Organization. 2025. Corporal Punishment and Health. Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/corporal-punishment-and-health.

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)