School Corporal Punishment in KP Persist
Imran Takkar/ Imama Riaz
Nowshera: Alarming cases of severe physical violence surfaced in two separate educational institutions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, causing outrage among parents and the local community.
The first incident took place at Government High School Amangarh in Nowshera, where a teacher severely beat two students for absenteeism.
The teacher Babar* subjected 12-year-old Zahid* and 13-year-old Hamid* to intense physical violence, resulting in both children sustaining broken arms.
The parents stated that their children had taken leave, which had been approved, yet the teacher mercilessly punished them and later locked them in the classroom.
The affected children were taken to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for treatment, where they are receiving care for their fractured arms.
The parents have called on the higher authorities of the education department to take strict action against the teacher, warning that they would resort to protest if justice is not served.
The second incident occurred in Jamia Ayesha Lilbanat, located in the Ghareeb Abad area of Charsadda, where a female student was allegedly beaten by the madrasa’s teachers.
According to the student’s father, his daughter was subjected to severe physical violence without any reason, which resulted in her nose being broken, leaving her in critical condition.
An FIR has been lodged at the City police station, but the father claims that the suspects have not yet been apprehended. The girl’s nasal surgery is scheduled at DHQ Hospital Charsadda.
These incidents have highlighted the growing issue of corporal punishment in educational institutions across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, despite legislative banning of such practices, which raised alarm.
Persistence of Corporal Punishment
In a 2005 study by UNICEF and Save the Children, numerous types of punishments were identified in schools, including physical abuse with objects like iron rods, electric wires, and slapping.
Another study by Plan Pakistan in 2009 highlighted that corporal punishment was prevalent in 89 perent of rural and 92 percent of urban schools. Government schools showed a higher prevalence (93%) compared to private schools (86%), madrassas (83%), and non-formal schools (70%).
Despite Pakistan’s 2013 law banning corporal punishment and the country’s commitment to international treaties like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, physical punishment is still widely accepted.
This is due to deeply ingrained societal beliefs and a lack of enforcement.
Interviews with both students and teachers reveal that corporal punishment remains a norm in many schools. One of the most concerning outcomes is the contribution to the high dropout rates in Pakistan, with approximately 22.8 million children leaving school annually.
Many of these students drop out because of the harsh punishments, which leaves them vulnerable to child labor, exploitation, and, in some cases, radicalization.
Impact of Punishment
One of the most significant outcomes of corporal punishment is its contribution to the high dropout rates in Pakistan. Many students who are subjected to such punishment leave school entirely, leading to an estimated 22.8 million school-aged children are out of school, with a significant number dropping out due to various reasons, including corporal punishment.”
This issue is particularly alarming, as these children are vulnerable to child labor, exploitation, and radicalization. Dropping out of school not only affects individual futures but also poses a broader societal threat.
There is a stark contrast between the experiences of students in private versus public and low-standard schools. Private schools tend to have stricter codes of conduct for teachers, and corporal punishment is largely reduced, whereas in lower-standard schools, abuse is still rampant.
Teacher salaries also reflect these disparities, with private school teachers earning around Rs 25,000, while those in lower-standard schools earn as little as Rs 5,000, affecting their job satisfaction and possibly their approach to disciplining students.
Legal Protection
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010 stipulates strict penalties against child abuse, including six months of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000.
However, there is an urgent need for better enforcement of these laws, as well as comprehensive teacher training on non-violent disciplinary methods. Without these reforms, the cycle of violence in schools will continue to harm future generations.
Parents of the affected children in Nowshera and Charsadda are now demanding swift action from authorities to hold those responsible accountable. Their call for justice echoes a broader societal need for safe, inclusive, and equitable educational environments for all children.
A Path to Reform
While legal frameworks exist, they are not enough without stronger enforcement and cultural change. Schools need to shift towards non-violent methods of discipline, and teachers must be equipped with training and resources to manage classrooms effectively.
Parents and educators can play an active role by holding schools accountable and pushing for stricter oversight.
However, questions are being raised regarding the provision of justice in these cases, with the affected parents demanding immediate action from law enforcement agencies.
Only by addressing the root causes of corporal punishment and improving conditions in educational institutions can Pakistan move toward a future where every child has the right to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
