The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The two students subjected to corporal punishment at Shaba Higher Secondary School are receiving counselling support at their new school.
The two students, who were allegedly struck 22 and 19 times, sought medical attention on the same day as the incident, 15th July. They were referred to Paro Hospital for assessment and treatment.
According to information shared with this paper, the hospital found no bone damage. However, the students had sustained bruises and discoloration of the skin as a result of the alleged beatings.
Hospital officials also provided counselling services to the students, as there were concerns that they could be emotionally affected by the incident.
The mothers of the two students said their daughters were taken to Paro Hospital at around 9 pm on the night of the incident. They said the students were given injections and medication for pain management.
The mothers said they took the daughters to Paro Hospital on the night of the incident where they were given injections and a painkiller to reduce the pain, noting that the next day, they were given medicine.
The mothers also said the students received counselling for about two hours at the hospital, as health workers were concerned that they might become distressed or emotionally affected by what had happened.
According to the mothers, the students were initially scheduled to return to the hospital for further counselling on 24th July. However, they were later informed that counselling support would instead be provided through the new school to which the students had been transferred.
To assess the students’ condition following the incident, The Bhutanese contacted the boarding school where the students are currently enrolled.
The principal said the students were doing well and provided the contact details of the school counsellor to discuss the support being provided to them.
The counsellor said he had conducted two intensive counselling sessions with the students, in addition to about four follow-up sessions whenever opportunities arose to meet them.
“Since the day the students were relocated to this school, they were not able to adjust to the boarding setting, as it was their first time being admitted to a boarding school and being away from their family,” he said. “It has been more than two weeks and, after following up with them and their class teacher, they are getting better.”
The counsellor also said that when the students first arrived at the school, they felt ashamed and guilty because they believed members of the public were criticizing them for reporting the case.
“They were worried that teachers and students in the new school, after learning about the case, might also criticize them,” he said. “However, we briefed the teachers and students, and the two students have been doing well.”
He added that the school does not tolerate corporal punishment and said he had not received any reports of such incidents.
“Until now, we have no reports of corporal punishment being reported,” he said.
Earlier, the mothers had told this reporter that they were unable to contact their daughters whenever they wished to check on their condition.
According to the mother of the student who was allegedly struck 22 times, school management informed her that frequent calls could affect the students’ ability to focus on their studies.
The mother said she remains worried about her daughter’s condition, particularly as the child had been experiencing pain following the incident.
However, after this paper contacted the school, the mother said she received a call from her daughter.
“I received a call from my daughter, and she said she is feeling better,” the mother said. “The problem she is facing in the new school is her not being able to adjust to the boarding school,” she added.
The other student’s mother was unavailable for comment.
One of the mothers said she heard about some other victims too, and although they are traumatized too they are not willing to come out in the open and share their stories.
This paper also reached out to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Paro Dzongkhag Education Officer for further information on the case. However, officials stated that the matter was being handled by the school and the relevant authorities, and that the case currently remains with the Paro District Court.
Update: The Paro District court sentenced the Shaba Higher Secondary School teacher, Samdrup, to two months imprisonment for the offence of child battery for hitting two school children 22 and 19 times with a rubber pipe.
Before the mid-year examinations, teacher Samdrup told his students they must score 55% on the exam.
On 15.07.2026, when students returned to school after the mid-year exam break, many students had failed to score 55%. Based on each student’s marks, the teacher beat them with a rubber pipe.
RBP filed two charges against the defendant for the offence of child battery.
Since the defendant used excessive/disproportionate physical punishment beyond what was necessary, under Section 109 of the Penal Code of Bhutan 2004, the defense of justification could not be granted.
Therefore, combining the two charges for the offence of child battery under Section 215 of
the Child Care and Protection Act 2011 and Section 13 of the Penal Code, the defendant was sentenced to 2 months of imprisonment, payable by fine in lieu of imprisonment.
Both sides did not appeal the case.
Image: Child hit 22 times and 19 times.
