A District Court judge here has postponed a case involving the alleged assault of a 10-year-old boy by his headmaster pending completion of an investigation by the Ministry of Education. Saud Al-Boushi, the judge at the District Court, said that the ministry is the primary authority in such a matter. Sources at the court said the judge postponed the case on the basis that the ministry completes its probe quickly. The boy's father has demanded that the Director of Education in Jeddah appear as a witness because he allegedly saw the bruises caused by the beating. The boy's father said he will appeal to higher authorities if the case is postponed or disrupted. The incident took place at a private school in Jeddah. The headmaster is alleged to have beaten up the fifth year primary school student with the Iqal (Saudi headgear) on his face and right arm. This was apparently as punishment for the boy insulting the physical education teacher by saying: “Are you a fool?” The physical education teacher took the boy to the headmaster, who allegedly beat him. A complaint was lodged by the boy's father at the District Court.
