Teacher may be punished for slapping, kicking student

A Japanese teacher may face punishment for slapping and kicking a sixth grade student who forgot his homework, officials said. The 31-year-old elementary school teacher slapped a student in the face and kicked him in the shins July 19, shortly before the start of summer break, because he forgot to bring in an assignment, The Mainichi Shimbun reported Friday. The teacher also dragged the student out of his classroom and pushed him. The student hit his head on a fire hydrant box and cut his mouth. A parent witnessed the event and told the student's parents, who in turn notified the school. The teacher and the school principal visited the boy's home July 23 to apologize and the school will hold a PTA 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 was to consider punishing the teacher.