Egyptian education official dies of heart attack after surprise school visit by minister

Dubai: A senior Egyptian education official died of a sudden heart attack last week following a surprise inspection by the country’s Minister of Education.

Osama Bassiouny, director of the Bajour Education District in Egypt’s Menoufia governorate, collapsed outside a school shortly after an unannounced visit by Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, who was touring several schools in the area to assess educational performance.

According to sources in the Menoufia Directorate of Education, Bassiouny began feeling unwell while accompanying the minister during his stop at Al Moassasa Boys’ School.

The minister had reportedly reprimanded Bassiouny during the visit and asked him to visit his office in the new administrative capital — a sequence of events some linked to his sudden deterioration of health.

Witnesses said he lost consciousness at the school gate and was rushed to Bajour Specialist Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. He was transferred to intensive care but died shortly after due to cardiac arrest.

While many have praised Bassiouny for his commitment to public service, speculation swirled on social media over whether stress from the minister’s visit may have played a role in his death.

In a statement to local media, Ministry of Education spokesperson Shady Zalta denied that the minister had berated Bassiouny. He emphasised that the visit was routine and that the minister had spoken positively about the performance of Bajour schools during his exchange with the late director. “There was no confrontation or undue pressure,” Zalta said. “His death was a matter of fate.”

Menoufia Governor Ibrahim Abu Limon issued a formal condolence statement, describing Bassiouny as a dedicated educator and “pillar of the educational community.” The provincial Directorate of Education also mourned his passing, stating that he died from an acute circulatory collapse that triggered a fatal heart attack.

Bassiouny’s funeral was held in his hometown of Kafr Al Sanabsa in Monuf Centre, attracting a large crowd of mourners, including education officials, community leaders, and residents.