EDDAH: A teacher who beat up an elementary student at a school in Al-Khafji has been transferred from the school, has 15 days’ salary deducted and his annual raise suspended, a local publication reported.

Abdulmajeed Al-Ghamdi, spokesman for the Jeddah Education Directorate, said the incident took place last Thursday.

Al-Ghamdi said that Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Thaqafi, the director general of education, has spoken with the father of the Grade 6 child. The father was assured by Al-Thaqafi that Minister of Education Azzam Al-Dakhil was personally following up on the case, and that a committee had been formed to investigate the matter.

Al-Ghamdi said the teacher would now be transferred to an administrative position. He said teachers must treat children with affection and sympathy.