Stop inhuman treatment of children
Where there are loaded guns, there are risks of people being shot, maimed or killed – accidentally or intentionally. Similarly, where there is corporal punishment (in schools, madrassas or homes) there is the ever-present possibility of a child being hurt, disfigured for life, or killed – accidentally or intentionally.
This week, a case was filed against Jamal Hossain, an assistant teacher of Rupdia Welfare Academy in the village of Rupdia, Jessore, for torturing Mizanur Rahman, 17, a class IX student.
According to the report, Mizanur was severely beaten and injured by the teacher for asking one of his classmates to put his pen back on the table, which had fallen to the floor during a Bangla test. Following the beating, Mizanur left the classroom and went home without completing the test. He was later admitted to a local hospital.
Bangladeshi adults in their thousands have lifelong reminders of how horrific ignorant evil teachers were to them. But why should a child need to risk limb or life in the pursuit of education? When will the pathetic ignorance of ‘teachers’ and their total disregard for the law in Bangladesh end? Remember these are the same people who are paid by Bangladeshi taxes to set good examples and teach what’s right and wrong.
Schools should not be hellholes of fear where the once-in-a-lifetime gift of youth, fun and joy is mercilessly beaten out; and hatred, anger, scorn and revenge for society are beaten-in. A school should be a learning place… an environment that stimulates the mind… a place where the child loves to be.
Sir Frank Peters
A friend of Bangladesh
