Editorial
The rod is yet to be spared
Corporal punishment at school continues unabated
In January, one year into a court ruling banning corporal punishment at educational institutions, a survey conducted by human rights organisation Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust (BLAST) found that 59 percent of students are still subject to it at schools. Of the 59 percent, 21.3 percent are verbally abused.
The statistics are further reinforced by recent news reports -- of four in four consecutive days this month alone and one from last month -- on corporal punishment administered at schools outside Dhaka. A boy caned to the point of his eye being injured; a mother beaten with her son when she went to protest his being beaten with an iron rod; four girls who fell sick doing 200 sit-ups holding their ears. The list is endless and -- especially in this 'modern' day and 'civilised' society -- unthinkable.
This is despite the High Court ruling of corporal punishment constituting a clear violation of children's fundamental rights to life, liberty and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The court at that time pointed out the government's obligations under national and international law to prohibit, prevent and prosecute incidents of corporal punishment. It also issued a number of directives such as the dissemination of guidelines prohibiting corporal punishment in educational institutions and in the media, monitoring of institutions and training of teachers in this regard.
We strongly urge the authorities to investigate not only the incidents but also why they continue to occur despite such legal measures -- if they are even being taken, or, if not, why not. There is also the issue of awareness-raising of the fact that corporal punishment is an illegal as well as barbaric practice. It is highly unfortunate that it continues today and we must leave no stone unturned in ensuring a change in social mindset combined with strict enforcement of the law towards preventing and punishing such inhuman offences.
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