Uthai Thani Teacher Assaulted by Grade 11 Student Over Midterm Score
A teacher in Uthai Thani is moving forward with an assault complaint against a Grade 11 student who punched her in the face after receiving less than a perfect score on a midterm exam. The incident, which occurred on August 5 at a private school, has sparked concerns about student aggression and respect for educators.
According to reports, the student became upset after receiving 18 out of 20 on the exam. He approached the teacher to ask why he had not been awarded full marks. The teacher explained that although his answers were correct, he had failed to show the required working process, which was explicitly stated in the question. She suggested he consult other teachers to verify the grading policy.
After receiving the same explanation from his other teachers, the student returned to the classroom and requested a score change. When the teacher refused, he kicked a desk in frustration and left the room.
Approximately 10 minutes later, the student re-entered the classroom and demanded an apology from the teacher. When she asked, “Who should be the one apologising?”, the student hesitated briefly before striking her in the face in front of more than 20 classmates.
The attack left the teacher with a bruised left eye, swelling on her head, and inflamed ribs. She required hospital treatment and subsequently filed a police report on August 8. She is scheduled to give an official statement to police on Tuesday.
The student’s parents have since reached out to apologise to the teacher on their child’s behalf. The school has suspended the student, who has also submitted a request to withdraw from the institution.
Local educators have voiced concern over the incident, noting that it underscores the growing need for stronger measures to ensure teacher safety and address violent behaviour in schools. Police are continuing their investigation, and the case could result in legal consequences for the student depending on the severity of the charges filed.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressures within the education system and the importance of maintaining respect between students and teachers, even in disagreements over grading.
