Teacher Accused of Beating 17 Pupils Over Argentina Taunts

A primary school teacher in Naogaon has been accused of physically assaulting 17 pupils after they allegedly sang a mocking song about Argentina’s football team.

The incident reportedly took place at Narachi Government Primary School in Naogaon Sadar upazila at around 3.30pm on Wednesday (22 July). The allegations have sparked anger among parents and local residents, who later gathered near Narachi intersection, adjacent to the school, to protest and demand an impartial investigation and appropriate legal action.

The teacher named in the allegations is Abdus Salam, an assistant teacher at the school.

According to the affected pupils and their parents, classes were being held at the school on Wednesday, but no teacher was present in the Class Four classroom at the time. One of the pupils began singing, and several others joined in. The song was allegedly intended to mock Argentina’s football team.

The pupils claimed that Salam entered the classroom after hearing the singing and became angry. He allegedly then beat the children with an electrical cable. Of the 23 pupils reportedly present in the classroom, 17 were said to have suffered physical injuries. Both boys and girls were among those allegedly assaulted.

News of the incident quickly spread through the area, prompting concern and resentment among parents and residents. Later in the evening, a group gathered at Narachi intersection to protest against what they described as unjustified violence against schoolchildren.

The protesters called for a proper investigation into the allegations and demanded exemplary action against anyone found responsible. They also urged the relevant authorities to take effective measures to ensure that pupils are protected from physical abuse in educational institutions.

Class Four pupil Shamima Akter alleged that Salam supports Argentina’s football team. She said several pupils had been singing a mocking song after the team suffered a defeat, after which the teacher entered the classroom and allegedly assaulted them.

Another Class Four pupil, Abdur Rahman, said that three pupils had been singing and making taunting remarks about Argentina’s defeat. According to him, the teacher became angry and allegedly beat them repeatedly on their backs.

Local resident Shariful Islam said the pupils had been subjected to unjustified physical punishment and that the authorities should take necessary action against the teacher if the allegations were substantiated.

The incident has also renewed concerns over the use of physical punishment in schools. While pupils may face disciplinary action for disruptive behaviour, any allegation of physical assault by a teacher requires careful examination by the appropriate authorities. Parents and local residents have therefore called for the matter to be investigated fairly, with the safety and wellbeing of the children kept at the centre of the process.

Abdus Salam, the accused teacher, expressed regret over the incident and apologised for beating the pupils. He said he would try to resolve the matter through discussions with the parents and other teachers at the school.

Naogaon District Primary Education Officer (in charge) Md Sanaul Habib said he was unaware of the incident when contacted. He added that the education authorities would take action in accordance with the relevant rules if a written complaint was submitted.

The allegations have caused considerable concern in the local community. The next steps are expected to depend on whether a formal complaint is lodged and whether the education authorities initiate an investigation into the reported assault.