A tragic incident has shaken the town of Chebba, Mahdia Governorate, where a 50-year-old Islamic education teacher set himself on fire and succumbed to his wounds.
Incident Details
On November 27, 2024, the teacher self-immolated at his house. He was rushed to the Ben Arous Hospital for Burn Victims but passed away the following day due to severe injuries.
According to Farid Ben Jha, spokesperson for the courts of Monastir and Mahdia, the judiciary has opened an inquiry to uncover the circumstances surrounding this event.
Context of the Tragedy
The teacher was reportedly under intense psychological pressure, facing allegations of physical violence and repeated harassment. The ordeal started on November 13, 2024, when he was involved in an altercation with students outside the school. A student’s mother filed a complaint, accusing him of physical abuse.
He was later questioned by a unit specializing in violence against women and children and was summoned to appear before a rapid response mediation panel in December.
Adding to his distress, videos showing him in heated exchanges and chasing students circulated widely on social media, leading to public scrutiny and relentless harassment.
Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
Omar Nasr, Secretary General of the Secondary Education Union in Mahdia, stressed that the teacher had been a target of bullying by students and individuals outside the school.
Authorities are investigating the extent to which these allegations, the viral videos, and online harassment contributed to his desperate act.
Broader Implications
This incident raises grave concerns about the role of social media in exacerbating tensions, the mental health challenges faced by educators, and the need for institutional support to mediate teacher-student conflicts.
The tragedy has sparked a nationwide debate on the protection of teachers and the broader implications of unchecked harassment and cyberbullying.
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