A video widely circulating on social media showing a young child being mistreated at a private school in Dhaka has sparked widespread outrage.
The footage, shared on Facebook on 21 January by Advocate Saleh Uddin, shows a woman—believed to be a teacher—dragging a schoolboy, around 4–5 years old, into an office. The child, in uniform, is brought before a man sitting at a desk, also thought to be a teacher.
Dated 18 January around 12:51 pm according to CCTV footage, the video shows the woman repeatedly slapping and scolding the distressed child while he sits on a sofa. At one point, the man approaches the boy with a stapler, threatening to staple his mouth. The child shows visible fear, while the woman is seen smirking, drawing condemnation online.
Two other women, likely school staff, peek in at the end, while the abuse continues.
The incident reportedly occurred at Sharmin Academy in Dhaka. Advocate Saleh Uddin called it a “sample image” of the school’s disciplinary methods and urged parents to exercise caution when selecting schools, while appealing to the Ministry of Education and authorities for immediate action.
The video went viral, prompting public criticism and calls for accountability. Hussain Md Farabi, assistant commissioner of Motijheel zone, said law enforcement has spoken with the child’s family, and if an FIR is filed, a case will be registered. The school was closed when a TBS correspondent visited, and no officials were available for comment.
Child rights activists stress legal accountability and counseling for perpetrators. Umme Salma Akter Urmi of Path-er School said children depend on adults for protection, and physical punishment harms their mental health. Those responsible should first undergo counseling, and if necessary, face legal action.
Although Bangladesh has laws against child abuse, enforcement gaps exist. The Children Act, 2013 prohibits physical or mental abuse, but incidents are often overlooked under claims of maintaining discipline.
Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir of Ain o Salish Kendra emphasized that Bangladesh’s Constitution and the Children Act, 2013, along with international obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, protect children from abuse. He warned that such mistreatment can cause long-term trauma and called for prompt legal accountability.
Human rights organizations note that most abuse cases remain hidden unless exposed online, delaying justice and allowing perpetrators to evade responsibility. Nasiruddin Alan of Odhikar said children should never be harmed, and physical punishment is unacceptable.
Farabi added that statements have been taken from the family, but no formal complaint has been filed yet. Cases can be initiated immediately if the family wishes.
