letters@thedailystar.net

Aritry Adhikary ofViqarunnisa Noon School & College ended her life hours after she and her parents were allegedly mistreated and humiliated by some teachers of the school, after she was accused of cheating in an exam. Yes, cheating is wrong (1 hope the nation's elders, especially people in high places, are reading these words). But if she was a first-time offender, was it right to humiliate her parents? Was it right to threaten her with a expulsion?

Aritry was only a ninth-grader and a product of her society and culture. One might ask, how "perfect" is this society where far more egregious matters get swept under the rug, where He 22,000 crore is plundered through banking scams, where sexual harassment of women is deemed an entitlement?

The school authorities who traumatised Aritry to the point where she ended her life have terrible wronged her. Children need to be nurtured, cared for, supported emotionally, and treated fairly.

We have fine educators in many academic institutions who continue to toil and care for the country's promising youth. But there are also some who push the wrong buttons and are themselves in need of counselling, as they often go too far, immersed in their power, need for dominance and self-importance. It is time to ensure that those who treat children like this are held to account.

Syed Saad Andaleeb, by email