Egyptian School Directors Face Disciplinary Trial Over Student Sexual Assault

Mohamed El-Shennawy, Head of Egypt’s Administrative Prosecution Authority, has referred the current and former directors of a school for the deaf and hard of hearing to disciplinary trial. The referral stems from allegations of negligence in supervising students, which allegedly enabled two middle school students to sexually assault a primary school student within the school premises.

The Technical Office for Investigations, led by Khairy Moawad, initiated the probe after receiving a complaint from the victim’s mother through the authority’s complaints and anti-corruption system. During investigations conducted by Ahmed Abdel Salam, under the supervision of Nasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Hamed, the prosecution heard testimony from the complainant.

The mother stated her daughter was subjected to sexual assault by force and coercion on two separate occasions during school hours by two middle school students from the same institution. She detailed the first incident where one student allegedly ambushed her daughter, groped her, and committed an act of indecent assault by forcing her into sexual acts. The second incident involved another student, who allegedly removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her. The perpetrators reportedly exploited the victim’s young age, her disability, and the presence of unsupervised, vacant classrooms within the school.

The prosecution also gathered testimonies from various school staff members, officials from the educational administration, and directors from the General Department of Special Education and Inclusion at the Ministry of Education and the relevant education directorate. Investigators also reviewed a court ruling issued by the Juvenile Criminal, Misdemeanor, and Appeals Court, which convicted the two students involved in the crime.

Investigations concluded that the accused directors, both current and former, were responsible for gross dereliction of duty. Their failure to adequately supervise and monitor students, coupled with not implementing necessary precautionary measures for vacant classrooms – leaving them unguarded – facilitated the commission of the proven crime by the two students.

Following the presentation of the investigation findings, El-Shennawy ordered the disciplinary trial for the accused. He also directed the administrative body to take necessary steps to activate the educational incentive and school discipline regulations issued by the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. Furthermore, he mandated the installation and activation of surveillance camera systems in legally permissible areas, particularly in corridors leading to classrooms and administrative offices, building entrances, and areas under construction.

The Head of the Administrative Prosecution Authority emphasized the importance of activating the role of supervisors, conducting daily rounds, and closing unused classrooms. These measures aim to ensure strict oversight and supervision within educational institutions, especially those catering to students with special needs. This directive underscores the state’s commitment to guaranteeing their educational rights, providing a safe environment, ensuring maximum care, protection, and safety, enhancing their dignity, preserving their physical and psychological well-being, creating suitable conditions for their needs, and preventing any form of abuse or exploitation.