Expatriate Bangladesh condemns Corporal Punishment

by Staff Reporter
December 15, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1986/expatriate-bangladesh-condemns-corporal-punishment

Gopal Sengupta and Shyamali Sengupta, expatriate Bangladeshis residing in Canada have written to Bangladeshi education minister Nurul Islam Nahid has appreciated various 'successful' efforts by the education minister, which already has been published in Bangladeshi media and have asked the education ministry to begin social awareness campaign to educate the children about their rights of bringing any case of corporal punishment to the attention of the authorities concerned.

The Sengupta couple, living in Canada has worked for children, families and communities for an integrated development in the sector of rural development and have built and renovated many primary and secondary schools in remote areas in Bangladesh by the supports of individuals and international donors during their 16-year long service with many international organizations.

In their letter to the Bangladeshi education minister, the Sengupta couple said, "A s you are concerned that all forms of corporal punishment are a fundamental breach of human rights. A slap is as detrimental to the children's rights as grievous injury. Indeed, there are no gradations since it must be seen that condoning so called small acts actually lead to gross violations. It is also legally impermissible. Due to fear, children are often silent and submit to the violence without questioning. Sometimes they show signs of deep hurt in their behaviour but this goes unnoticed, perpetuating further violence on them."

They said, "For long being harassed on the knuckles, running on the school fields, kneeling down or standing up for long hours, being beaten with a ruler, pinched and slapped have been seen by teachers as an acceptable form of disciplining the child. But can this form of discipline be acceptable? No, no and no. This is inconsonance with the High Court order of 2010 banning corporal punishment for children and directing the State to ensure they receive education in an environment of freedom and dignity, free from fear But the rights of children continue to be violated in the garb of discipline. Like many writers and Sir Frank Peters, our goodwill ambassador, feel these are not isolated instances but manifestations of a culture of violence and insensitivity to children and their rights."

The couple further said, "It is crystal clear that the responsibility of safeguarding children from punishment lies with teachers and the school administration. Therefore I would like to draw the kind attention of your honour to direct the education departments to: Inform children through campaigns that they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bring it to the notice of the authorities, inform children through campaigns that they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bring it to the notice of the authorities, constitute a forum in schools, hostels, Juvenile Justice Homes, shelter homes and other public institutions where children can express their views, a complaint box will be available in all schools, should be closely monitored and supervise and take action accordingly. A monthly meeting of the Parent Teacher Associations, the School Education Committees and Village is highly demanded, Education Committees to review complaints and the action taken. The Parents Teachers Association to be encouraged to act immediately on complaints by children before further injury is caused. Parents and children are to be encouraged to speak out against corporal punishment without fear that it would have adverse effect on the children's participation in school. The education departments at union, district and national level are to establish procedures for reviewing the responses to the complaints of children and monitoring the action taken. If all these steps are implemented; going to school could become a joyful experience."

It may be mentioned here that, Gopal Sengupta and Shyamali Sengupta couple has sent their only son from Canada to Bangladesh as an international student to study medicine and surgery and to serve the nation. Their son has studied many internationally well reputed institutions including McGill University. The couple is also planning to return to Bangladesh in 2012 to join their son's efforts in serving Bangladesh.

Corporal punishment prevails mostly within the rural schools in Bangladesh as well as Madrassas [Koranic schools]. Students living in the dormitories in Madrassas are sodomized by the clergies and Madrassa teachers on a regular basis.

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