UNICEF Statement on Corporal Punishment in Jamrud District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Islamabad : UNICEF is appalled and saddened by reports of the death of a 12-year-old boy in Jamrud District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as a result of an incident of corporal punishment during school assembly. UNICEF extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, fellow students, and the entire community affected by this devastating event.
UNICEF condemns corporal punishment in all settings – schools, homes and other institutions. Violence against children is never acceptable. Schools must be sanctuaries of safety and learning, where children are nurtured and protected.
This incident is a profound betrayal of the trust placed in educational institutions by parents and students in Pakistan. Corporal punishment inflicts not only immediate physical harm, but also long-term psychological damage, that affects children’s development and well-being, and undermines their ability to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential.
UNICEF calls for laws banning corporal punishment to be strictly enforced, comprehensive training for educators on positive, non-violent disciplinary methods, and a shift in cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate these harmful practices, in accordance with Pakistan’s obligations as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Every child has the right to receive an education in a safe, protective, nurturing environment.
Children must never be the target of violence.
The rights of children must be upheld at all times.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
