Before and after the advent of "Maar Nahi Pyar" (Love rather than Punish): Teachers' and Parents' Perspectives on the Situations, they Experienced

Author(s) : Rizwan Saeed, Dr. Syed Abdul Waheed, Dr. Nadia Gilani

Abstract:

The Slogan "Maar Nahi Pyar" (love, rather than punish) has been introduced in Punjab Schools to provide a safe and learner-friendly school environment. The study explores teachers' and parents' perspectives regarding the effects of this slogan on the students' behavior toward their education and students' discipline. A qualitative, narrative phenomenological approach was used for this purpose. For data collection, semi-structured and focus group interviews were conducted with the teachers and only semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used, whereas teachers with at least five years of teaching experience before this slogan were selected. The findings revealed mixed reactions regarding the effects of the slogan on the school environment. Some teachers and parents mentioned improvements in the students' participation and behaviour. However, the majority of the teachers and parents highlighted its negative consequences. Teachers mentioned the instances where the students took advantage of this emphatic approach, resulting in increased disruptions and reduced academic focus. The study also implies that the implementation of the slogan has its benefits, but there is a dire need to overcome the challenges the teachers face for its successful implementation. The findings contribute to the growing literature on alternate discipline strategies, emphasizing the need for more balanced and well-enforced policies. Future research should focus on strategies that mitigate adverse effects and ensure that positive reinforcement does not affect classroom management.