January 5: The Principal of the Tshompaling Primary School in Lhuentse Khandu has been sentenced to one month in prison for slapping a class five student and damaging his ear drum.

He can however pay a fine of Nu. 3,000 in lieu of the prison sentence. The Principal will also have to pay Nu. 9,000 as compensation for the damage he has caused to the student’s ear drum and Nu. 3,550 as medical expenses.

The 12-year-old student had to be taken to the hospital after he was slapped by the school’s Principal.

According to the medical report, the boy’s left ear drum has been partially ruptured. His hearing has been partially impaired though he can hear according to the report.

The incident happened on September 5 last year after the boy and five other students were found making noise in class.