School says boy gang has no ‘bad history’

The four Grade 4 pupils who allegedly assaulted seventh grade student Loujain Hussain on April 19 are not suspended from the school as they have no “bad history” in school, according to an administrator at the Al Maali International School.

School says boy gang has no ‘bad history’

The four Grade 4 pupils who allegedly assaulted seventh grade student Loujain Hussain on April 19 are not suspended from the school as they have no “bad history” in school, according to an administrator at the Al Maali International School.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on behalf of school principal Khadija Al Sayar, the staff member who did not want to reveal her name, said that they are following the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (Adec) regulation.

“Adec regulation says we cannot suspend the children without bad history in school. Before we suspend any child, we have to tell Adec,” she said.

According to her, students with bad history are “blacklisted” and are not given another chance to register the following year. As for the boys, aged 9-10 years, this remains uncertain. Al Sayar was quoted by some students as saying during a school assembly last week that the “boys involved in the attack” won’t be admitted next academic year. This was denied by the principal.

“We will have to refer to Adec if we want to suspend the students,” the administrator stressed.

The violent attack, which put the 11-year old Iranian student in the intensive care unit under a medically-induced coma, is currently being investigated by the police.

The four boys, meanwhile, were made to sign a letter promising not to repeat the offence. They are also under close supervision at the school.

“They signed a letter of undertaking that they will not do it again to other students. This was signed by the social worker, the school principal and the parents,” said the school staff.

As added control, the whole Grade 4 section was shifted to a different building to be near the supervisor’s office, where they can be under close “observation”.

“We are watching them, specially the four boys,” she stated, adding that despite the presence of teachers in the playground, it was difficult to monitor each of the 1,500 students.

According to Loujain’s mother Maha Abdul Kader, her tooth also came off as a result of the attack.

The girl’s brother Mahran Hussain said his sister’s brain is still swollen and bleeding and the doctors at the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City had to postpone Loujain’s MRI twice to next week.

Another growing concern is Loujain’s inability to open her eyes. Mahran said the doctors reduced the sedation a few days ago and Loujain woke up but did not open her eyes.

In addition, the oxygen pipe has also caused an infection, according to Loujain’s mother. Loujain is still under heavy sedation but her condition is said to be stable.

“They are now giving her sedation and pain killer to make her calm,” Mahran said.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE