Father seeks 'retribution' over child's death in Egypt school

Cairo: "I want retribution for the killing of my child from all officials concerned."

Appearing on a popular show on official TV, Amr Badr, the father of an 11-year-old child kicked to death by his math teacher for not doing homework, demanded the resignation of the prime minister and the minister of education.

His plea has prompted several MPs to seek an urgent explanation from the government for what they see as rising violence in state schools.

"There must be firm steps to stem the decline in education standards and to revise the policy of the Ministry of Education," independent MP Mohssen Radi told Gulf News.

"The ministry is employing ill-qualified teachers to do the job. It does not pay enough for efficient teachers."

The death of the fifth grader in the coastal city of Alexandria made local headlines and drew condemnations from child rights groups.

"The wrongdoer must be severely punished in order to make him an example for others," said Mushira Khattab, the chairperson of the governmental National Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

The teacher, who will appear before a criminal court on November 16, faces seven years in prison if convicted.

Corporal punishment is banned in schools but education experts say the practice is common.

A few days after the Alexandria death, this nation of 80 million was shocked by the death of a 10-year-old Cairo schoolgirl.

The fourth grader reportedly died when her teacher tried to punish her over homework.

The two deaths prompted Minister of Education Youssri Al Jamal to convene an emergency meeting and reiterate absolute prohibition of physical punishment in schools.

Analysts say it's difficult not to see the growth of violence as a reflection of the growing violence in society.