A 13-year-old student from a school in Thelijjawila, Matara, was admitted to the Matara General Hospital on Friday (17) after reportedly being assaulted by an English teacher and the school’s disciplinary officer.
According to the student, the English teacher had attacked him with a stick for failing to bring a book to class. He further alleged that while on his way to the washroom, the disciplinary officer confronted and assaulted him again for being outside the classroom.
The student told police that he had experienced difficulty breathing following the incidents and was first given medical attention at the school before being taken to the hospital. His father has since lodged a complaint with the Malimbada Police.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education stated that if the proposed Penal Code (Amendment) Bill banning corporal punishment in schools is passed in Parliament, the school disciplinary regulations will be revised accordingly.
