Boy off school after beating

A12-year-old boy who was severely beaten with a stick by his teacher is taking a week off school, recovering at home from the bruising and trauma.

Piya Putthapoh, the director of Anuban Phutthaisong School in Phutthaisong district of Buri Ram, said yesterday the boy’s parents had informed the school of their decision to keep him at home for a week. The young student was taking leave to recover from the bruising and regain his composure, the principal said.

The boy in Prathom 6 (Grade 6) was last week whipped 10 times on his buttocks and lower back in front of the class, after being ordered to go outside and do 50 jumping jacks, or star jumps, by his English-class teacher.

The punishment followed his failure to recite a multiplication table during the afternoon session.

His close friend said yesterday that the boy was whipped because the teacher knew that he made only 30 jumps, instead of 50. His friend had cried as he returned to his seat. The stick was reportedly wrapped in duct tape.

After seeing the bruising on her son, his mother on Friday lodged a complaint and threatened to move him to another school unless action was taken against the teacher.

Mr Piya said the teacher, whose name was withheld, had admitted to inflicting the punishment but said he had good intentions. He accepted that he would be investigated.

Anuban Phutthaisong School yesterday temporarily reassigned the 35-year-old teacher from Prathom 6 to Prathom 5 classes, to ease parents’ concerns about his behaviour.