A primary school teacher will be slapped six times, for slapping a misbehaving student, as ordered by a Riyadh court. The student, with his friends, was drumming on a refrigerator for passing with distinction. The teacher, however, did not enjoy the rhythmic celebration and slapped Hamza six times. Later the student developed swollen ears, involuntary urination and excretion and was transferred to another hospital because of suspected psychological trauma from the slapping act. The judge made the teacher choose between 6 slaps and 90 lashes – 15 for each slap. The boy's father, filed a complaint with the Education Department. Hamza is a talented boy who graduated with distinction from a school for gifted students in Taif. He said that his son was mistreated by the teacher since the beginning of the year but was afraid to speak about it. Hamza'a psychological state and his involuntary urination alerted the father who found out that his son was being hit on his back and feet and mocked by his teacher. The father said that he tried to meet the teacher and speak with the management but was repeatedly denied. Medical reports from the Pediatric Hospital of Taif recommend for him to be referred to the Mental Health Hospital. Fahd Al-Thibyani provided additional information. __
