Lahore Police have reportedly arrested a schoolteacher accused of assaulting a 13-year-old Class 7 student over the alleged theft of a box of toffees from the school canteen. The incident has raised concerns about corporal punishment in educational institutions and the protection of children in schools.
According to the report, the student sustained bruising to his face after the teacher allegedly struck him repeatedly with a shoe. Police reportedly took notice of the incident, arrested the accused teacher and registered a case under relevant legal provisions relating to assault and child abuse. The allegations will be addressed through the legal process.
The incident also drew attention after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif responded on social media. Her post included the words, “Beat him black and blue across his face with a shoe. Shame.” Some users initially interpreted the wording as an instruction to assault someone.
According to Minute Mirror’s report, however, the chief minister was expressing condemnation of the alleged teacher’s actions rather than directing anyone to commit violence. The report also stated that the Chief Minister’s Office clarified the context of the post. An Urdu version circulated online, with some users reportedly sharing it without the surrounding context.
The case has renewed discussion about the use of physical punishment to address disciplinary issues in schools. Punjab has promoted the “Maar Nahi Pyar” approach, which encourages teachers to manage students’ behaviour without resorting to violence.
The alleged assault has also raised questions about the enforcement of school discipline rules and whether teachers have sufficient training to handle student behaviour through non-violent methods. Child-rights advocates have called for accountability in cases involving alleged violence against children and stronger oversight of school safety policies.
Further legal proceedings are expected to establish responsibility for the alleged incident. Ensuring a safe learning environment, investigating complaints involving children fairly and promoting non-violent disciplinary practices remain important concerns for schools and authorities.
