A slap from a teacher to a student has sparked controversy, with the student and his family claiming that the incident resulted in a traumatic brain injury. The student, Mehmet Bozorov, was reportedly hospitalized for 15 days following the alleged assault. The Levakant Education Department has issued a response, downplaying the severity of the event.
According to the education department, the incident occurred on September 6 at School No. 4 in the village of Bokhturobod in Khatlon province.
The 11th-grade student, Mehmet Bozorov, reportedly insulted his teacher, which led to the teacher’s reaction. The department stated that the teacher "lost his temper and slapped the student," but emphasized that no serious injuries were sustained.
Following the incident, Bozorov invited his uncle, Jamol Bozorov, to the school for support. After recounting the event to his uncle, the student allegedly lost consciousness. Jamol Bozorov, a medical professional, filmed his nephew's condition and shared the video with the media. The student was later taken to the central hospital in Levakant, where the medical examination concluded that there were no significant injuries and the student's head was in good health.
"The Central Regional Laboratory 'Aksi Shifo' issued a report confirming that there were no serious injuries, and the student’s head was completely healthy," the education department's response read.
The document further noted that the student was hospitalized for six days. Although doctors considered his condition satisfactory and discharged him, the student’s mother insisted on further treatment, leading to another seven days of hospitalization.
The education department confirmed that the teacher covered all medical expenses and that the student has since recovered and resumed attending classes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan responded to the situation, stating that they are fully aware of the details and have spoken to both the teacher and the student’s parents. "Farhod Nazarov, the young teacher, should not have resorted to violence, but the student also showed disrespect. Both parties are to blame," said a spokesperson from the Ministry.
The case is currently under preliminary investigation by law enforcement agencies.
The perspective of the student and his parents regarding the education department's statement remains unclear, as Asia-Plus was unable to reach them for comment.
The incident gained wider attention when a video surfaced on social media on September 30, showing the student unconscious on the ground. Later, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi, citing Mehmet Bozorov and his parents, reported that the teacher allegedly struck him forcefully on the back of the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
According to Mehmet Bozorov, he tried to leave the classroom during a break to get a pencil. However, he did not hear the teacher’s instructions and accidentally closed the door. This action reportedly angered the teacher, who then slapped Bozorov on the back of the head. After the blow, the student lost consciousness and later woke up in the hospital.
Medical documents obtained by the media indicate that the student was "subjected to beating" and "suffered a brain injury." Bozorov’s parents have filed a complaint with the police department, but as of now, they have not received any response.
This incident is not an isolated one. Teacher-student conflicts and fights in Tajikistan’s schools have recently drawn public attention. In the previous year, there were three such cases: one in the city of Bokhtar and two in the Khovaling district of Khatlon province.
Notably, after a rise in bullying incidents among students last year, educational authorities introduced new guidelines. A methodological document was developed for school administrations, class teachers, and educators to prevent bullying and cyberbullying.
