Terming such punishment inhuman and cruel, they said such tortures badly hinder the natural growth of a child.

The daily Prothom Alo and Bita (Bangladesh Institute of Theatre Arts), an NGO, jointly organised the roundtable titled "Physical and humiliating torture at educational institutions is an obstacle to children's growth" with the help of Save the Children, Sweden-Denmark at Zila Parishad auditorium.

Noted academic Prof Anisuzzaman was present as the chief guest while writer Ferdous Ara Alim presented the keynote paper at the roundtable.

Programme Officer of Save the Children Shamsul Alam Bakul moderated the roundtable chaired by Bita Executive Director Shishir Dutta.

Despite government instruction and pleas of the civil society, reports of student torture in the name of so-called punishment are regularly making newspaper headlines across the country, the speakers alleged.

"A section of teachers also torture the students mentally which is more detrimental and affects more than the physical one," they said, adding, "such tortures often leave a permanent phobia among the children towards the teachers concerned and the schools as well."

They said absence of high morals, and lack of proper training and education in teachers are mainly responsible for such ill practices.

The speakers suggested ban on tortures in educational institutions and emphasised building an amiable teacher-student relationship.

Resident Editor of the daily Prothom Alo Abul Momen condemned the use of cane by teachers and said such method of punishing an 'unruly' student would bring no good, neither for the student, nor for the teacher.

Prof Anisuzzaman said, "We can't accept the idea of using cane to punish the students, in no circumstances," and added, "Instead, we should introduce elements of joy and merriment in our education system."

Ferdous Ara in her paper emphasised the need for radical change in the behaviour of some teachers and a concerted effort for establishing a suitable, healthy and congenial atmosphere for children in the educational institutions.

Prof Dr Mehtab Khanam of Dhaka University, Dr Mahbubul Hoque of Chittagong University and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue and Education) of Chittagong Md Jafar Alam also spoke.