Education Board Issues Directive Banning Physical Punishment in Qawmi Madrasas

The Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, the apex education board for Qawmi madrasas, has completely banned physical punishment of students at Qawmi madrasas. At the same time, it has ordered the immediate formation and activation of student protection committees at all six Qawmi madrasa boards under its authority and all their affiliated madrasas.

The directive was issued on Saturday (September 19) on the instructions of Al-Haiatul Ulya Chairman Allama Mahmudul Hasan. It provides specific guidelines on strengthening Islahi and Tarbiyati activities and on measures to prevent what it describes as misinformation against madrasas.

According to the directive, the decision was taken following reports and allegations recently circulated in various media outlets and on social media concerning the abuse of students at Qawmi madrasas and alleged unethical activities by some individuals.

The directive states that the sole purpose of discipline must be the correction and welfare of students, and never revenge. No student may be punished while the teacher is angry. It sets out a step-by-step approach to discipline. The first step should be a gentle warning, followed, if necessary, by mild reprimanding and then stern admonition.

In an absolutely necessary situation, the final step should be to call the parents, inform them in writing and take the necessary measures in consultation with them. Under no circumstances may male or female students be beaten as punishment.

The directive completely prohibits hitting students with sticks, canes or any other instrument. It also prohibits striking the face, head or sensitive parts of the body, as well as any form of punishment that could cause broken bones, bleeding or visible marks.

Public humiliation, verbal abuse, insults, harsh or hateful language, addressing students with offensive nicknames and any other form of psychological abuse have also been identified as unacceptable behaviour. Teachers found violating the directive will be held accountable under both Shariah and applicable laws, according to the directive.

Al-Haiatul Ulya has made its position clear that if any individual is actually involved in a crime or unethical activity, a proper investigation and legal action must be ensured, and no offender should be given protection or special treatment. At the same time, Al-Haiatul Ulya said it would not be reasonable to question the entire Qawmi madrasa education system, millions of students and teachers based on isolated incidents or to place the responsibility for an individual’s wrongdoing on madrasas, the boards, or the wider community of scholars and students.

The directive was prepared based on decisions taken at the 69th meeting of the permanent committee of Al-Haiatul Ulya, chaired by Allama Mahmudul Hasan on September 12, and at a meeting of the relevant subcommittee held on July 29.

The directive said its preparation also followed writings on education and character-building by scholars of Deoband, including Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi and Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakaria Kandhalvi, as well as fatwas issued by prominent Islamic institutions.

Regarding student protection committees, the directive ordered every madrasa to form or reform such a committee and keep it active without delay. Students, teachers and employees must have the opportunity to submit complaints of misconduct, abuse or harassment to the committee.

The committee must complete an investigation and submit a report within seven days. In serious cases, the accused person must be temporarily removed from their responsibilities during the investigation. The directive warned that if a madrasa is found not to have such a committee, has an inactive committee, or fails to take action after receiving a complaint, this could be considered grounds for suspending or cancelling the madrasa’s affiliation.

Alongside setting limits on disciplinary measures, the directive ordered every madrasa to regularly organise Islahi meetings for teachers and students, arrange mandatory Tarbiyati sessions for newly appointed teachers and increase parent meetings.
The aim is to strengthen communication and trust with parents and ensure that any problems are brought to the attention of madrasa authorities quickly.

To prevent what it describes as misinformation against madrasas, Al-Haiatul Ulya has instructed each board to establish a separate madrasa monitoring cell to oversee the activities of its affiliated madrasas and to launch a separate hotline for receiving complaints. As soon as a complaint is received, the board, madrasa authorities and the student protection committee must jointly arrange an immediate and impartial investigation.

The boards have also been instructed to carefully verify the character and credibility of candidates during the recruitment of teachers and employees. At the same time, the boards have been instructed to provide legal remedies through their lawyers’ panels for innocent teachers, female teachers, muhtamims or institutions who become victims of false allegations, baseless reports or media trials.

If necessary, the central hotline of Al-Haiatul Ulya, 01700-763178 (WhatsApp), may be contacted. The directive, signed by Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh Chairman Allama Mahmudul Hasan, informed all six boards and their affiliated madrasas and requested them to take the necessary measures immediately.