Parents sue school director for slapping student

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

A primary school director has been sued by the parents of a student who he allegedly slapped and caused injuries to the eardrum in Banteay Meanchey province. 

The incident took place at 3pm on Friday at the Poi Sophy Primary School in Serei Sorphoan city’s Kampong Svay commune. 

Kampong Svay commune deputy police Captain Phuong Sareth yesterday identified as the school director as Ouch Vanna from in Kampong Svay commune’s Pei village. 

He said the school allegedly slapped three students who were gambling on the school grounds.

 Capt Sareth identified the three students as Vong Chansina, 15; Kim Leang, 15; and San Sopheap, 16, all in Grade 6.  

He said that according to three students, on the day of the violence, they were playing coffin shoes and betting with money in the school’s courtyard during their break time.

“While they were playing, the school director (Ouch Vanna) arrived, caught them and slapped them hard at least five times each, causing injuries,” Capt Sareth said. “After slapping them, the school director went to back to his room.” 

He noted that a day later, Chansina became sick due to inflammation of the eardrum which caused resulting in a fever. 

The boy had to be treated at a private clinic for three days. 

Capt Sareth said that Chansina’s father Vong Chanra, 52; and his mother Chhouk Sameth, 53; on Sunday lodged the lawsuit against Ouch Vanna through the commune police and are seeking $500 in compensation.

“During a meeting to resolve the issue at the commune police post, the school director admitted committing the offence and agreed to pay only about $375 to the victim’s parents in compensation,” he said. “But the parents did not accept it.” 

Capt Sareth said that because both parties did not agree on compensation payment, the case has been sent to district police for further decision. 

Vann said yesterday that he slapped them because he was angry with them for not respecting his orders and played coffin shoes involving bets inside the school. He said this was after he had warned them thrice before not to do so. 

He added that he only acted as a teacher should and did have any intention to hurt them. 

Provincial Education, Youth and Sport Department director Chhou Bunroeung told Khmer Times yesterday that the parents also complained about Vanna’s actions to him but he recommended that both parties come to a compromise.

Bunroeung said that Vanna also confessed his mistake and promised that he would never commit such violence again. 

“I urged the two parties to compromise and settle the case peacefully,” he said.

Bunroeung urged all provincial primary school and high school teachers to respect their code of conduct which forbids the use of violence against students. 

Serei Sorphoan city police deputy chief Major Kong Chantha confirmed yesterday that the case has been referred to the city police for a solution. 

However, Maj Chantha declined to comment further, saying that penal police officers now are working on it. 

“In this case, though school director will have to pay compensation to the victim. He is still accused of ‘intentional act of violence’ and faces from six months to three years in jail if convicted,” he said.