Despite legal bans, corporal punishment remains prevalent in Bangladesh, affecting children’s mental health and behavior.
A four-year-old child in Dhaka refuses to attend school after experiencing physical punishment at Sharmin Academy in January. This incident underscores a widespread issue in Bangladesh, where many children face corporal punishment in educational settings. [source]
According to a preliminary report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF, 86% of children aged 1 to 14 in Bangladesh faced physical or psychological punishment in the month before the survey. Among these, 25% experienced physical punishment. [source]
The report further reveals that children aged 3 to 9 are most affected, with 76% experiencing physical punishment. Despite legal prohibitions, corporal punishment persists due to inadequate government monitoring and regulation. [source]
The Children Act of 2013 in Bangladesh outlaws corporal punishment, providing for up to five years’ imprisonment for causing harm to a child. Additionally, a 2011 policy bans physical and mental punishment in educational institutions. [source]
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Badiul Hossain acknowledged the challenges in monitoring due to the rapid growth of primary schools. He mentioned upcoming discussions with kindergarten representatives to address these issues. [source]
Globally, the World Health Organization reports that while corporal punishment is banned in 67 countries, it remains prevalent elsewhere. In Africa and Central America, about 70% of children face such punishment in schools. [source]
"School is bad, I won’t go to school anymore," said a four-year-old child.
Sources
- https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/zv44l5mp35 — Details on corporal punishment in Bangladesh, statistics, legal context, and expert opinions.