DESPITE the prevailing notion that the imposition of strict, disciplinary action keeps students in line, it is the use of corporal punishment in education that raises serious concerns about child protection. On Sunday, at a madressah-cum-tuition centre in Karachi, an eight-year-old student was beaten to death allegedly by a cleric. Having endured regular beatings — the police say the child’s body showed signs of torture — the boy had refused to return to the seminary knowing the cleric in question would strike him again. When his parents forced him to return to the madressah, the man allegedly beat him to death using a stick and other implements. Instead of filing a case with the police, the family has ‘forgiven’ the accused. Though a cowardly and shameful decision, the family involved is economically deprived, indicating, perhaps, their powerlessness to engage in lengthy and costly court proceedings. Victims’ families reach compromises by settling for blood money — a practice especially prevalent in ‘honour’ crimes — for similar reasons. Contrary to general expectations, in this case it is the police that filed an FIR with the state as a complainant, taking the suspect into custody.

When a child is repeatedly beaten and eventually brutally bludgeoned to death, it is a crime tantamount to murder. Though many of the laws forbidding corporal punishment do require amendment or repealing for impact at the implementation stage, last year, Sindh passed legislation prohibiting corporal punishment inflicted on children under 18 in workplaces, schools and educational institutions including seminaries. Regrettably, under this statute, corporal punishment is a compoundable offence implying the accused can be forgiven. Given the rise in violent crime against children, it is imperative the state take legislative action while putting into motion public-awareness measures to protect child rights. Moreover, a code of teaching conduct should be devised for clerics; and repeat offenders who resort to violence against children disguised as disciplinary action should be unreservedly punished under the law.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018