Repeating mistakes of the past is not a solution
I have followed your informative reports in The New Nation for a number of years on the evils of corporal punishment and the damage it does to our children in schools and madrassas.
My own son was once a victim and I read the ‘what to do’ advice given by Sir Frank Peters in one of your reports, acted upon it, and my child has had no problems and has been very happy ever since. (Thank you).
I think we all agree that education is vital to the progress of Bangladesh and right now it needs a complete overhaul if we are to make a positive indelible mark in the 21st century and create a happy, livable, forward-thinking society.
Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni MP, could not be expected to have all the right answers herself (no one has), but I hope she is intelligent enough to gather a professional team of progressive thinkers (and those who actually know), around her and is capable of leading the change.
Filling school teaching vacancies is essential, but putting in place people who can actually teach and not just wear the title of teacher is even more essential.
Perhaps intelligent writers and patriots like Massum Villa and Sir Frank Peters could be brought on board to advise. Repeating mistakes of the past is not a solution.
Mariam Akter
Uttara
Stop violence against women
Violence against women is on the rise. The root causes that are allowing such type of crime must be nipped in the bud.
Conventional laws and their implementation patterns lack effectiveness to combat the crime. Women and children face various threats including social prejudices that there is little political will to change this. For example, in spite of a directive from the High Court to the government in 2009 to enact a comprehensive law on sexual harassment, little action has been taken. Such incidents create an environment of impunity that can encourage perpetrators.
Time has come to rethink the social norms that are considered driving factors in giving rise to the abuse of women and violence. An effective strategy to end violence against women needs not just better law enforcement. It requires a change in attitude and mindset to overcome outdated social norms.
Sajjad Hossain
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
