A primary school teacher has been suspended after awarding zero marks to pupils who misspelled the word 'coronavirus' in a spelling test, leaving parents furious.
The incident took place at a school where children as young as seven were penalised for incorrect spellings such as 'cornovirus' or 'coronaviris'. The teacher reportedly insisted on strict accuracy, refusing to award partial credit.
Parental Outrage
Several parents expressed anger over the teacher's harsh marking, arguing that young children should be encouraged rather than punished for minor mistakes. One parent said, "It's ridiculous to expect perfect spelling from kids at this age—especially with complex words like 'coronavirus'."
School's Response
The school has since suspended the teacher pending an investigation. A spokesperson stated, "We take all concerns seriously and are reviewing our marking policies to ensure fairness."
Education experts have weighed in, suggesting that while accuracy is important, flexibility is key in early learning. "Spelling tests should build confidence, not discourage students," said one specialist.
