Think about the children who suffer, Education Minister

Education Minister Mohibul Has an Chowdhury.

They say ‘a new broom sweeps clean’. The new broom in this case is Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, MP, and I pray to almighty Allah he will sweep clean and rid society of corporal punishment.

As the practice countless times has been scientifically proven not only to be ineffective in disciplining children, but also causes irreparable damage to some; I fail to understand why it is allowed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described our children as the greatest asset of the nation, yet there is no law prohibiting corporal punishment in schools, madrasahs, and homes. Why is this?

As far back as 2011 the Supreme Court recommended that corporal punishment be banned. They described it as being cruel, evil, ungodly, and ugly. 12-years later there is still no law prohibiting it. Why is this?

Of all the MPs, in the present and previous parliaments, not one has even attempted to propose a ban. What does that say about our lawmakers and nation? Do they care? Does the nation care? Surely they must be aware of the damage it is doing?

The one voice continuously speaking out against the despicable practice is foreign friend Sir Frank Peters. He’s been chipping away at the cancer for years.

If, as Sheikh Hasina says, the children are the greatest assets and the future of the nation, we ought to get our priorities straight and give them every support and encouragement, not beat and abuse them.

I pray Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel will protect the children from the hell-made evil and stop the rot.

Yours sincerely,

Asha Khan

Comilla.