After documenting the indecent assault of one schoolchild and the deaths of two others, the Egyptian Coalition on Children’s Rights (ECCR) demanded the immediate implementation of policies and procedures to protect children.

In a Monday statement, the coalition expressed deep concern over the incidents that have occurred since the resumption of schools on 8 March, when the second semester finally resumed after twice being postponed by the cabinet for security reasons.

On the first day of school, the coalition said, one student was subjected to indecent assault by two other pupils. The incident reportedly occurred in the governorate of Beheira. On 10 March, two students died in the governorates of Sharqeya and Minya. One of them was a young girl who died when part of the school gate fell on her, and the other student died when he fell into a sewage tank inside school.

In North Sinai Governorate, investigations have begun to look into the food poisoning of 53 students.

The ECCR called on the Ministry of Education “to assume its responsibility to protect children inside educational institutions.” ECCR Secretary General Hany Helal said the nature of these incidents requires serious investigation by the government.

“The incidents monitored have nothing to do with political exploitation but fall under negligence, corruption and violence,” said Helal, adding that there is a need for an official plan to protect children from all potential dangers they may be subjected to.