Headteacher cuts hair of 15 primary students in Naogaon

A headteacher at a government primary school in Naogaon has cut the hair of at least 15 pupils with a pair of scissors, triggering outrage among parents.

The incident took place around noon on Saturday at Kolar Palsha Government Primary School in Kola Union of Badalgachhi upazila.

Parents of the affected pupils have condemned the incident and demanded action against the teacher. They alleged that he had previously subjected students to physical and mental abuse, including beating them.

The headteacher, however, said he cut the hair of several pupils because it had grown too long and looked untidy.

After learning about the incident, Badalgachhi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Israt Jahan instructed the upazila primary education authorities to take prompt action. An assistant upazila primary education officer has been assigned to investigate the matter.

According to local sources, headteacher Shahidul Islam used scissors to cut the hair of at least 15 fourth- and fifth-grade pupils in an uneven manner while classes were underway on Saturday.

A video of the incident later circulated on social media, prompting widespread criticism in the area. In the video, some of the affected pupils and their parents can be heard making various allegations against the headteacher.

Parents alleged that the teacher had previously cut the eyebrow hair of another student and frequently behaved inappropriately towards pupils. They called for a fair investigation and justice.

Asked about the allegations, Shahidul Islam told Prothom Alo that the children's hair had grown too long and was falling over their eyes, making them look untidy.

“That is why I cut the hair of a few students,” he said. He denied the allegations that he had previously beaten pupils.

Saudur Rahman, acting official at the Badalgachhi Upazila Primary Education Office, told Prothom Alo that he had heard about the incident but was currently attending a training programme. An assistant primary education officer had been assigned to investigate why the pupils' hair had been cut in such a manner.