#PrayforCikguAzizan is now trending on social media as many Malaysians have expressed support for a Negri Sembilan teacher who allegedly slapped a student for sniffing glue, bullying and playing truant.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has also thrown its weight behind the teacher who will go on trial tomorrow.

Teachers have been urged to gather at the Seremban magistrate’s court tomorrow morning to show support for a teacher identified as “Cikgu Azizan”, NUTP secretary general Harry Tan said in a statement on Friday.

The teacher faces a year’s jail, RM2,000 fine, or both if convicted.

This marks one of the rare times teachers have publicly rallied in support of a colleague.

The union said it would provide a lawyer to defend the teacher, who has been taken to court for disciplining a student.

Azizan has been charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, the New Straits Times reported.

“Should be slapped. And don’t parents today have a sense of shame? Aren’t (you) shameful that your child get caught sniffing glue? Ya Allah, you should be ashamed,” said Aina Dhia on Facebook yesterday.

“A teacher who tried to discipline a student should not be treated this way. It’s the parents who didn’t teach their child well, (but) Cikgu Azizan became the victim.

“Let us pray together for Cikgu Azizan for a smooth proceeding and quick release, and may this be his TICKET to Heaven,” said parenting coach Zaid Mohamad on Facebook.

Some social media users, such as activist Janarthani Arumugam, were more reserved and asked more questions.

“Was there physical abuse? Was the punishment in the best interest of the student? Was there absolutely no others means of dealing with the student’s ‘alleged’ delinquency?

“Has the NUTP looked into all these?” she said.

“How did the parents teach this kid? What are the values taught?...Or is the facts of the case wrong?” asked estate agent Faridah Yazid.

Studies have found that physical punishment is an ineffective method to discipline children, which could lead to more aggression and mental health issues among children as grow into their adulthood.

The United Nations’ children’s agency, Unicef, and local child rights groups have lobbied Malaysia to follow developed countries in banning corporal punishment.

As of 2016, 53 countries have banned corporal punishment in schools and at home.

Malaysia still permits caning as a disciplining method in schools should verbal warnings, detention and counselling fail. – December 18, 2017.