A ninth-grade student, fourteen years old, died in Badar Ranjha, Pakistan, after suffering a brutal beating from a private school teacher who punished him for not memorizing the lesson. The incident, which occurred last Thursday, only became widely known after the boy passed away in a Faisalabad hospital due to the severity of his injuries, according to Pakistani broadcaster Geo TV. The tragedy has prompted urgent calls for accountability and enhanced protections for students across the country, as families and advocates demand changes to prevent such violence in schools.
Initial reports detail that the victim, named Samiulá, endured severe injuries to the spine when struck with a stick. He was first taken to a hospital in Sargodha, a nearby city, and was later transferred to Faisalabad as his condition worsened. Law enforcement confirmed that an investigation has been opened and that the person responsible for the assault has been detained. The case has drawn public attention to student safety, disciplinary practices, and the safeguards that should exist to stop abuse inside educational settings.
The head of the National Commission for Children’s Rights, Ayesha Raza Faruq, expressed deep horror and concern over what happened and signaled that steps would be taken in response. Her remarks emphasize the pressing need for robust protections and consistent enforcement of rules designed to shield students from violence and coercive punishment. The commission has highlighted the legal framework that has been in place in Islamabad since 2021, which explicitly prohibits corporal punishment in both public and private educational institutions. Her statements stress the importance of extending these protections nationwide and ensuring that every region adopts effective measures to uphold children’s rights in schools.
Advocates note that the 2021 Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act sets a clear standard against physical punishment in educational environments. They argue that schools must adopt nonviolent disciplinary approaches that preserve student dignity while maintaining discipline and academic focus. The discussion surrounding this incident reflects a broader national conversation about safeguarding children, ensuring transparent investigations, and implementing accountability mechanisms that deter abuse and safeguard learning environments for all students across the country.
Observers conclude that the case could serve as a turning point for policy and practice. By translating legal provisions into effective, on-the-ground protections, communities expect a measurable reduction in incidents of violence within schools. The ongoing investigation will determine next steps, including how schools can better monitor, train, and support teachers and staff to manage classrooms without resorting to harmful methods. The broader narrative remains one of safeguarding youth, reinforcing the message that education must be a safe space where students can learn and grow without fear or harm. [Geo TV] [National rights commission statement] [education policy updates]”