Cairo - An Egyptian teacher was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday for beating a student to death, a criminal court source said.

A 23-year-old mathematics teacher kicked the student in the chest for trouble making, the court heard. The 11-year-old died in the classroom.

The widely-publicised case has stirred strong debate about violence in schools which is still common in Egypt, where many teachers slap students across the face or otherwise strike them. (dpa)