Teachers Association says harassment is common at Addu High School, blames management for repeated failures

In a strongly worded statement issued Saturday, the Teachers Association of Maldives (TAM) said that teacher harassment is common at Addu High School, and that the recent clash between a student and a foreign teacher reflects deeper management failures.  

The incident, which occurred last Wednesday, sparked widespread debate after videos circulated showing a physical altercation between a Grade 12 student and the teacher. Both were suspended following the incident, and police are now investigating.  

TAM stated that teachers are routinely bullied and harassed by students at Addu High, and that the lack of disciplinary action against students has created an environment where teachers are scapegoated and publicly shamed.  

“The rest of the students in the classroom have the same rights as one student, and it is unacceptable for a teacher who stands up for students to be discredited,” the association said.  

The statement criticized the Education Ministry’s decision to suspend the teacher without a full investigation, arguing that such actions discourage passionate educators and contribute to attrition in the profession.  

“This is common in the school… The end result of no action being taken against students is that a teacher is stressed and punished for his or her actions in favor of other students and shamed on social media,” TAM added.  

The association also emphasized the need for clear rules on student phone use, noting that while students in developed countries carry phones, Maldivian schools must regulate usage to prevent classroom disruptions.  

TAM has called for an impartial investigation into the harassment of the teacher, and urged authorities to address the broader issue of school management accountability.  

The student involved in the incident has a history of disciplinary issues dating back to grade nine, and was suspended until completion of an ethics program.