Bangladeshi school caning puts pupils in hospital

A Bangladeshi school teacher has been accused of caning eight of her pupils so hard for forgetting to bring their pencils to class that they needed hospital treatment.

The two girls and six boys aged between 10 and 12, were treated for bruises to their arms and backs in the town of Feni.

Police said they were investigating complaints against teacher Ratna Roy lodged by the children's guardians and parents.

Teachers in Bangladesh often resort to physical punishment, such as caning and slapping, to discipline pupils despite a 1995 government order banning it. Many parents even condone the practice, and it is unusual for police to investigate such complaints.

A Unicef study last year found that one out of 10 school children in Bangladesh suffer physical punishment from teachers.