Outraged parents of kindergarten students have called for an investigation following reports that their children have been sexually assaulted on the grounds of a private school in the Fifth Settlement area, Cairo.
Suspicions surrounded a private security guard assigned to the school building, who was subsequently arrested by Cairo security forces.
According to sources familiar with the events, the situation began after several families informed the school administration of suspicious behavior they observed in their children.
This was accompanied by accounts from the students themselves, indicating that they had been subjected to physical harassment in the bathrooms and in less-used side corridors.
As the reports continued, the parents alerted the security services, who then went to the school to question staff and investigate movement patterns within the premises.
Parents reported being surprised by the simultaneous surge in complaints over two consecutive days, prompting many to gather in front of the school gate in the early morning hours to demand urgent explanations and guarantees for their children’s safety.
Security guard arrested
According to sources, the initial investigation focused on a security guard responsible for monitoring the back yard and the corridor leading to the restrooms for younger children.
The initial investigation indicated several children’s accounts were similar in describing the clothing worn by the suspect, narrowing down the suspects and leading to his arrest.
While the Public Prosecution was notified, a group of children underwent hearings in the presence of psychologists to ensure they were not subjected to pressure or direct questioning.
Another Public Prosecution team was assigned to review surveillance camera footage from areas within the defendant’s work area.
Official measures underway
The school administration announced in an internal statement that it “will not tolerate any negligence” and that it is “undergoing a comprehensive evaluation of security procedures and student movement routes.
It emphasized that full cooperation with the competent investigative authorities is “the only way to ensure that any party found to be involved is held accountable.”
Official sources confirmed that the Ministry of Education and Technical Education is taking measures by forming a committee from the Legal Affairs Department and the Central Administration for Private and International Education, following the completion of the Public Prosecution’s investigations and confirmation of the incident.
The sources added that if the incident is proven and the school administration is found to be negligent and involved in a lack of child protection measures, the school will be placed under the financial and administrative supervision of the Ministry of Education.
