Experts want strict monitoring for girls in madrasas

FE Team | Published: April 23, 2019 00:12:34

Amid the involvement of teachers in a series of rapes and killings of madrasa students, experts have called for strict monitoring by the government and overhauling the education system, reports UNB.
They told the news agency that the recent incidents are a wakeup call for the government which needs to act fast to address the issue.
Three madrasa students were killed and at least seven others, mainly children, were raped by their teachers since April 01, media reports show. Fourteen madrasa teachers were arrested for their suspected involvement in the incidents.
The murder of Nusrat Jahan Rafi in Feni has drawn the attention of all as she was set on fire on April 06 at her madrasa for reportedly refusing to withdraw a sexual harassment case filed against her principal.
Dhaka University's Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury, Prof Abul Barakat, Prof Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman and Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam blamed a culture of impunity, moral degradation, madrasa teachers' connection with influential people and lack of accountability and monitoring by the governing body for the rapes and killings.
Male teachers will not be allowed to call a female student alone to their rooms. "If they do, then other teachers, including female ones, must be present there," he said.
Madrasa authorities must also arrange a monthly meeting with students to allow the latter talk about their problems. The institutions will have to communicate sexual harassment complaints to the Madrasa Board immediately.
Saif noted that many madrasas are not following the Education Ministry's instruction to have at least 30 per cent female teachers. "We'll give [the madrasas] a warning and take effective steps to implement the instruction as soon as possible," he said.