UAE teacher suspended after being filmed slapping student

A teacher who was filmed slapping a student at a school in the United Arab Emirates has been suspended after the clip went viral.

The incident happened in the Emirate of Ajman and the footage spread across the planet when it was widely shared last Wednesday.

It shows a teacher slapping a young boy on the back of the head and the cheek while they are engaged in an argument, the Khaleej Times reports.

The boy is seen trying to stop the blows with his hands while asking the teacher to stop.

Education Minister Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi said the teacher had been suspended and a panel had been formed to investigate the incident.

"It is a single case. We regret that it happened," the minister said.

"We reject it and promise it will not reoccur."

He added that the ministry will take any necessary legal or disciplinary action against the wrongful party.