LANDI KOTAL, Dec 7: A female teacher at a government school here allegedly beat up students of different classes over theft of an electric bulb from a classroom.

Talking to media persons at the press club here on Friday, some frightened girl students and their parents alleged that Ms Salma, a teacher of junior section of government higher secondary school for girls, lined up students of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades inside the school and started beating them with a stick.

“The teacher shouted at us and tried to force us to confess that we have stolen the electric bulb,” said Sonali Masih of class 8th.

She said that all her classmates were made to stand for a long time in chilly weather as the teacher wanted them to confess to stealing the bulb.

“When we refused to accept responsibility, the teacher started beating us with a stick which caused bruises on the hands and body of several girl students,” another student of class 7th said.

On the occasion, the parents demanded of the education department to investigate the matter and take action against the teacher.

When approached for comments, Ms Salma said that the school watchman had reported her about the theft of an electric bulb by some students. However, she could not explain why she resorted to physical punishment of the students.

Principal of the institution could not be approached for comments as she was not present on duty.

There is no specific law prohibiting corporal punishment in schools in Fata. However, a local official Hastam Khan told Dawn that the Fata education department had issued written instructions advising the teaching community to refrain from physical punishment of students.