Education Minister suspends school administration for three months pending investigation after students were suffocated

In the context of the Ministry of Education’s follow-up on the recent incident involving the suffocation of several female students at a secondary school for girls, Minister of Education Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee visited the students to ensure their well-being and assess their health conditions, praying to Almighty Allah for their swift recovery, complete health, and wellness, and to protect our student sons and daughters from all harm.

During the visit, Minister Al-Tabtabaee emphasized that the health and safety of students are the top priorities of the Ministry of Education, stressing the continued monitoring of the students’ health conditions, ensuring their well-being, and coordinating with relevant authorities to guarantee the provision of necessary care.

As part of the measures taken by the Ministry following the incident, the Minister ordered the suspension of the school’s administration for three months pending the investigation, alongside appointing a new school administration to take charge of the school and oversee its operations, thereby ensuring a stable school environment and the continuity of the educational process.

The Ministry of Education clarified that, based on preliminary investigations confirming the involvement of several students in the incident, appropriate educational and regulatory measures have been taken against them in accordance with the comprehensive regulatory framework for education under the Ministry of Education, after classifying their proven behaviors as serious behavioral violations.

The Ministry stressed that the investigation into the incident is ongoing to determine all causes and circumstances, and to accurately assign responsibilities, emphasizing that necessary measures will be taken against anyone found responsible or negligent, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the final results of the investigation.

The Ministry reiterated that these measures are implemented to safeguard the security and safety of students and to maintain a stable school environment, reinforcing principles of discipline and accountability, and affirming that there will be no leniency toward any behavior that compromises the security of the school community or the safety of its members.

The Ministry of Education expressed its deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Health, its officials, and the medical teams that handled the cases, commending the rapid response, healthcare provision, and follow-up care received by the students since the incident, which exemplifies the coordinated efforts of state institutions and their commitment to the health and safety of their citizens.

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that the security and safety of students, as well as educational and administrative staff, is a fundamental responsibility that allows for no leniency, and that it will continue to monitor the incident until all investigations and procedures are completed, and necessary decisions are taken to ensure the safety of students, enhance discipline, and provide a safe and stable educational environment for all.