DUBAI - A grade three boy student of a private school in Al Qusais allegedly slapped his library teacher who prevented him from running inside the school library and his guardians who were called to the school assaulted the teacher the next day.
“Instead of being apologetic about the incident, the boy’s parents, summoned by the school supervisor for a meeting and counselling session, marched into the library the very next day and allegedly beat up the woman library teacher who collapsed and had to be rushed to a hospital in Dubai,” N.M. school principal, told Khaleej Times.
According to the principal, the incident took place on March 10 when the student slapped the teacher of the school. On the following day, his parents, including the mother, grand parent and a housemaid, arrived in the school. Instead of heading to the supervisor’s office for a meeting, they directly walked in to the library and beat up the teacher badly.”
Hospital reports, the principal said, had confirmed that the teacher had passed out due to the physical assault which also left bruises on the body.
Although she has recovered and resumed work on Monday (March 17), the school has suspended the student for seven days. The student is expected to resume school only on March 23.
“The decision to suspend the boy was taken in consultation with the officials of the Ministry of Education.”
N.M. added that the school would allow the child to sit for his final examinations this year, but was forced to suspend the child only to discourage other students and their parents from resorting to physical assault on teachers in the future.
The principal noted that as an educationist, such action by the student and parents was deplorable. “In my entire career I have never been faced with such a situation. I personally feel, as an educationist, we should not use the rod on children, but there is definitely a need to rethink how to ensure safety of the teaching staff in schools.”
A case has been filed by both the school and the teacher in Al Qusais police station and the matter is currently under investigation. Besides, the Ministry of Education is also looking into the incident and it is learnt that the officials will soon be meeting the boy’s parents to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, the teacher and the boy’s parents could not be contacted for further details. However, police sources confirmed that investigations were under way.
By Meraj Rizvi (UAE Editor)