A teacher in Pindigheb town, located in Attock district, was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of torturing a 12-year-old student for failing to memorize his lesson at a private school.
The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting the persistent issue of corporal punishment in schools, despite a nationwide ban on the practice.
The victim, Mohammad Ali, a student at a private school in Ahmedal, was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse by his teacher, Maulvi Muneer Awan. According to Ali’s father, Saadat Iqbal, the teacher used sticks to beat his son, causing serious injuries, particularly to his private parts.
After returning home from school, Ali revealed the extent of the abuse to his family. In response, Saadat Iqbal took his son to the police station, where a medical examination confirmed the abuse. The authorities subsequently registered a case against the teacher.
Saadat Iqbal expressed his distress, saying, “The teacher physically abused my minor son in an inhuman way.
He cries at night and cannot sleep due to the physical and psychological trauma.” He also appealed to the National Child Rights Commission (NCRC) and the district government for justice.
The teacher, upon hearing about the complaint, went underground and has been elusive since the case was filed. Saadat also mentioned that his son had often complained about the teacher’s harsh and punitive behavior toward students.
This incident brings to light the continued prevalence of corporal punishment in schools across Pakistan, even though it is officially banned. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children in educational institutions, particularly in rural areas.
