When Teachers Beat and Hit Students
Published on
Reading Time
20 mins
Intro
Asian culture is different. Central Asian culture is also different. The culture of the CIS countries is different too. But sometimes it goes too far. I am talking about teachers using physical force to punish students. We live in a dangerous world, a dangerous reality called the 21st century. It is not about ancient times anymore. Here, in this century, people are much smarter than ever before, so doing one wrong thing could ruin your entire life and/or career. In this article, I am going to tell you about my experience with such teachers and what happened to them. Remember that this article is only for educational purposes, and no hate is intended towards any individuals.
History
For centuries, corporal punishment was considered a normal method of discipline in many parts of the world, including parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Teachers were often given broad authority over students, and physical punishment was viewed as a way to maintain discipline and respect. In many countries across Central Asia and the former Soviet Union, strict discipline remained common well into the late 20th century. Over time, however, societies changed. Scientific research, new educational methods, and stronger child protection laws have shown that fear and violence are not effective ways to educate children. Today, more countries are banning corporal punishment in schools, although in some places the practice still exists, either officially or unofficially. Change is happening, but not everywhere at the same pace.
The Ibro Case
For the purposes of anonymity, this teacher will be called Ibro. When I came back from Russia and enrolled in the 4th grade at School No. 56 in Dangara District, life was different. Life was yellow. The whole city was so hot and yellow because of dust storms carried from Afghanistan that you would probably think you were inside a movie.
School No. 56 was notorious for its bad students and constant fights. At times, it felt like the movie District B13, except it was a school. If students from the 10th or 11th grade suddenly got into a fight, and God forbid you happened to be close to them, you would end up in a kind of hurricane where they would accidentally hit you too simply because you were too small and standing too close.
I got enrolled in that school because my mother had studied there when she was young. Since the school was familiar to her and free, my family decided I would be a good fit there. But not a good fit in the traditional sense. More like, "For now, it's good."
One day, I forgot to tie my tie properly. This teacher noticed it and invited me to come closer. I came closer and received one or two slaps, followed by one sentence: "What is that? Tie it properly."
That turned out to be a bad idea.
My family found out about it, and the showdown started. The teacher eventually apologized, but since then, because it was the first time a teacher had ever hit me, I remembered one thing: not every school is the same, and not every teacher is civilized. Some teachers can hit you too.
The Lochi Case
Fifth grade. Same school. Geometry class.
I forgot my ruler and several notebooks. Four or five other students from my class had done the same. We had all forgotten to bring the necessary supplies. We were told to stand in front of the board. The green board, of course.
From the geometry teacher, I received four or five incredibly hard slaps. They were so harsh that my ears started ringing. My face turned completely red, and I knew I did not deserve it. I knew I was a human being just like the teacher, and one day I would become a grown man and never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
He never faced any consequences. He was known for never saying sorry to anyone. He would use other words instead. Later, after realizing I was one of the better-performing students with good grades, he told everyone else to leave the classroom and invited me to talk privately.
He said, "If I had known you were a student with results, I wouldn't have done that."
According to him, that was the equivalent of an apology. At least, that's how I remember it.
To Parents
Thinking about enrolling your son or daughter in a free government-funded school is not a bad idea. The main thing you should pay attention to is the school's reputation. Another important factor is the condition of the buildings. If the buildings are old and the school's reputation is poor, think twice. Otherwise, you may end up sending your child to a school like the one I attended.
This advice applies everywhere.
To Teachers
To all the teachers across Central Asia, across Asia, and in the CIS countries, I am telling you this: you are not living in ancient times anymore. Your actions can backfire badly. You can end up in jail because of them.
Before hitting a child, remember that they have parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and people who love them. If those people care enough, your life can change overnight.
I have personally witnessed cases where parents got into fights with teachers in Central Asia. I have seen brothers show up and beat teachers for hitting a small child. Of course, that also has consequences, and I am not encouraging any kind of violence. I am simply saying: be careful. There are people who do not care about the consequences, and if they decide to act, teachers will have a very bad time.
Teachers, remember this: it is the 21st century, and you can get into jail very easily. If you decide to physically harm a child who is not yours, you could destroy the rest of your life. I encourage you not to use physical force against children. Some children are born with medical conditions, including neurological disorders, and one wrong hit can end their lives. And yours too, in a different way.
Unfortunately, many parts of Asia still struggle with this problem. Yes, things are changing. We are introducing different teaching methods, creating new laws, and that is a good thing. Without those laws, some teachers feel entitled to use violence. But now is not the time to think that way anymore. The consequences can be devastating.
Conclusion
Choosing something simply because it is free will not always give you the best results. To parents, I say this: if you have enough money, consider private schools or reputable private teachers. It gives you greater peace of mind, but always keep talking to your child. Sometimes children remain silent because they feel powerless. One honest conversation can reveal so much that even you may struggle to believe what you are hearing.
Every child deserves to feel safe in school. A classroom should be a place where students learn, ask questions, make mistakes, and grow without fear of being physically punished. Discipline and respect can exist without violence, and good teachers prove that every single day.
Stay safe, and see you in the next article on my website.
