Japanese teacher may be punished for slapping, kicking student

Students in Japan, where a teacher allegedly assaulted a 6th grade pupil Osaka – Arab Today A Japanese teacher may face punishment for slapping and kicking a sixth grade student who forgot his homework, officials said. The Osaka elementary school teacher slapped a student in the face and kicked him in the shins on July 19, shortly before the start of summer break, because he forgot to bring in an assignment, The Mainichi Shimbun reported Friday.
Eyewitnesses say the teacher grabbed the boy by the collar, shouted at him, pinched his cheek and slapped him repeatedly, Japan Daily Press reported.
The 31-year-old is then alleged to have dragged the pupil into the corridor and pushed him, causing the boy to hit the back of his head on a fire hydrant box and cut his mouth.
The mother of another student witnessed the incident and contacted the boy’s parents, who in turn notified the school.
The teacher and the school principal visited the boy's home on July 23 to apologise, and the school will hold a Parent-Teacher Association meeting next week to explain the incident.
Other parents have alleged that the teacher has a history of using corporal punishment and verbal abuse. The Osaka Prefectural Board of Education is investigating the allegations and would consider punishing the teacher.
Source: UPI, Japan Daily Press