Student seriously injures teacher during class at junior high in Anan, Tokushima
In short
A male student turned violent against a male teacher during a class on 2 October at a public junior high school in Anan, Tokushima Prefecture, after pushing back against his guidance, the city board of education said. The teacher was taken away by ambulance and is still recuperating at home. The school held a briefing for parents on 15 October.
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A male student at a junior high school in Anan, Tokushima Prefecture, used violence against a male teacher during a class on 2 October and left him seriously injured, according to the Anan city board of education. The board said the teacher had guided the student in class and the student pushed back. TBS NEWS DIG and Nippon TV reported the account on 20 October, and Mainichi Shimbun reported it on 19 October from interviews with the school and others. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Mainichi, citing people involved, said the incident took place on the morning of 2 October and that the student, a first-year, appears to have thrown the teacher with a shoulder throw. The other outlets say only that the student used violence. Nippon TV reported that the teacher was conscious but could not move on the spot, and that the vice principal called an ambulance, which took him to a medical institution in the city. The teacher is still recuperating at home. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The school held a briefing for parents on 15 October, where the principal explained how the incident came about and how the school is responding. Mainichi said it was held in the evening. Some students saw the teacher get hurt during the class, and Mainichi reported unease among students and parents. According to the principal, the school has told its staff again to look after each student and is considering more rounds by school counselors if needed. Nippon TV reported that the city board of education is considering more counselor visits to support students' mental care. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The principal told Mainichi: "We take this situation very seriously. While keeping in contact with the relevant agencies, we will work to create a school where students and staff can spend their time with peace of mind." Anan board of education superintendent Kazuhiro Sakamoto (坂本和裕) was quoted by Nippon TV as saying it was truly regrettable that such an incident occurred and that the board wants to build, with the school and related agencies, an environment where everyone can learn with peace of mind. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the board told MBS it was truly regrettable that such an incident occurred in a school that should be safe and secure. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Students saw the teacher get hurt, and Mainichi reported unease among students and parents. The school and the city board of education say they are considering more counselor support.
Key facts
- The incident happened during a class on 2 October at a public junior high school in Anan, Tokushima Prefecture. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- A male student pushed back against guidance from a male teacher and was violent toward him, leaving the teacher seriously injured, according to the Anan city board of education. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The teacher could not move, was taken to a medical institution by ambulance and is still recuperating at home. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The school held a briefing for parents on 15 October, where the principal explained what happened and how the school is responding. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Some students witnessed the incident, and the city board of education is considering more counselor visits. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- On 2 October a male student at a junior high school in Anan used violence against a teacher after the teacher guided him in class, and the teacher was seriously injured. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The teacher was taken away by ambulance and is recuperating at home. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The school held a briefing for parents on 15 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Counselor support for students is being considered, including more counselor visits. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Exactly what the student did to the teacher. Mainichi, citing people involved, said the student appears to have thrown the teacher with a shoulder throw; the other outlets say only that the student used violence.
- The nature and extent of the teacher's injuries. The documents say only that he was seriously injured and is recuperating at home.