Time to take a stand

The trend of corporal punishment in Pakistan is quite common. A lot of teachers just won’t let go of this traditional punishment. Young minds cannot bear the deliberate physical pain caused by their teachers. This is why children often show resistance while going to school. It is proven that corporal punishment creates fear among children. Resultantly, children suffer from low self-esteem and often perform poorly in studies. .At times, physical punishment can cause serious injuries which may result in death or permanent physical disability. Most recently, a case has been brought into the limelight where a student of a cadet college became the victim of brutal torture. Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the 14-year-old boy, was paralysed after receiving the brutal beating of the staff of Cadet College Larkana. A lot of similar cases have been reported in the country but no action has been taken to date.

Unfortunately, most teachers believe that corporal punishment is essential but this a wrong belief. A friendly environment should be ensured in classrooms so that children can learn in a healthy environment. There should be no carrot and stick approach in education institutions. The recent cadet college incident raises an important question: Is there no law in the country to abolish this traditional form of punishment? The government should take stern action against those teachers who are involved in this crime and activity. It should be banned in the country because it violates the child rights. The government should make a law that protects the lives of children and saves the future of the country.

Attaur Rahman Toorkhel

Bajaur Agency