Welcome to the world of
Tanvir Ahmad Arjel

FROM the very beginning of the education system, teachers are regarded as the builders of the nation, the society and people’s morality. But regrettably, the builders are now failing to protect their own morality from degradation as well as teaching morality to their students. They are even failing to control lust for the female students, who are like their daughters. The latest incident we came across is the rape of a Class X student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College by a teacher of the school, Parimal Joyadhar, to whom she used to go to take private lessons (New Age, June 6). The depraved teacher also blackmailed her with video captured in his cell phone into repeating the act. How low a person can get! The man cannot really be called a teacher, being nothing but scum of the earth. It’s not a sporadic incident, although the exact number of such incidents does not come to light due the fear of social ostracism and stigmatisation. Most of the girls and women do not disclose such matters to avoid scandal. I remember another such incident that was published in New Age five or six months ago about a so-called teacher of Ideal School and College. The so-called teacher also offered bribe to the media to refrain from revealing the incident.

Now, it’s a matter of grave concern that women face insecurity in a time when we are talking about female empowerment, equal rights, justice and honour in our society. It’s time to think deeply about our prevailing social system. Otherwise, our society will become like the ones in the West where women are regarded as sexual objects. The authorities concerned should bring these scoundrels to book with exemplary punishment and the government should educate teachers in their pre-employment training about proper behaviour with students and moral character.

Md Tanvir Ahmad Arjel

university of Dhaka