A number of residents of Jaranwala on Sunday staged a protest demonstration against the alleged beating of four schoolchildren by their teacher.
The protesters, including parents of the children, shouted slogans against the school’s administration and demanded the authorities take appropriate action against the teacher.
Muhammad Nadeem, a protester, told the media Abdur Rehman, Zainul Abedin, Saifullah and Talha of grade 6 were beaten up by their teacher Waqas on Saturday. “The teacher got angry over a minor mistake by the children. He kicked them out of the class and beat them with a baton.” He said the students complained about the teacher’s conduct which triggered the protest.
The protesters dispersed peacefully when police assured them that action would be taken against the teacher if he was found guilty. School principal Fauzia Latif told The Express Tribune she had not been at school at the time of alleged incident. “I will, however, probe the matter and action will be taken against the teacher, if need be.”
The Jaranwala station house officer (SHO) said police had received a complaint about the incident. He said they were now waiting for a medical report of the children.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2014.