Retired M’sian teacher, 63, to pay S$27,574 to student for slapping him 7 years ago

A 63-year-old retired Malaysian teacher was ordered to pay RM88,069 (S$27,574) for slapping a then-14-year-old student during a lesson seven years ago in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Isamuddin Ismail, who was then the school’s senior assistant for administration, was named as the first defendant after the student, Mohamad Adam Maidin, who is now 21, filed a civil suit in March 2021 through his 47-year-old mother, The Vibes and Harian Metro reported.

Three other defendants — the school principal, the director-general of Education, and the Malaysian government — were named.

Slapped

On Jan. 28, 2019, at about 10:30am, Adam was sitting at his desk with his classmates when Ismail approached him from behind and slapped him four times.

Adam reportedly sustained dizziness, reduced hearing, ringing in his ears, as well as facial and ear pain.

His mother noticed that something was wrong with Adam when she picked him up from school on the day of the incident.

She claimed that Adam appeared pale and distressed.

His face was also red, and he complained about having headaches.

A classmate of his informed his mother of the incident and urged her to seek medical treatment.

The mother took her son to a local clinic before he was referred to a local hospital for treatment.

Traumatised

According to a medical report issued in June 2019, Adam sustained hearing problems in his right ear, including mild to moderate mixed hearing loss.

It was diagnosed as trauma-related injuries believed to have resulted from the slapping.

The incident also reportedly traumatised Adam, and he was afraid to return to school.

He was transferred to another school about a month later.

His mother claimed that Adam took about two to three years to recover from the incident.

The incident also left her worried about the safety of other children.

“If children tell you that something has happened at school, parents should investigate. As for teachers, do not use violence or hit areas such as the eyes or ears because the effects can be long-lasting and there is no compensation for that,” she reportedly said.

Ruling

In the judge’s ruling, Ismail was found to have slapped Adam’s face and cheeks with his right and left hands from behind.

“The court also found that as an educator, the teacher had a duty of care towards his students,” the judge reportedly said.

The court also allowed the claim against all four defendants after finding negligence and a duty of responsibility in relation to the incident.

The RM88,069 (S$27,574) award comprised RM45,000 (S$14,089) in general damages, RM569 (S$178) in special damages, RM11,250 (S$3,522) in exemplary damages and RM11,250 (S$3,522) in aggravated damages, and RM20,000 (S$6,261) in interest and costs.