Workers’ Rights Union Condemns Assault After Student Allegedly Fractures Foreign Teacher’s Nose in GDh. Atoll

A local workers’ right union, The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has condemned the assault of a foreign teacher in GDh. Atoll, where a student allegedly fractured the educator’s nose, prompting the need for surgery.

In a statement, the union expressed “profound shock and deepest concern” over the attack, in which an Indian teacher was physically assaulted while carrying out her duties. The union said the victim sustained serious injuries and extended full solidarity to her.

The case was reported to police on April 12. Authorities said the teacher initially received treatment at a local health centre before being transferred to Dr. Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital in Thinadhoo for further care. Police are currently investigating the incident in collaboration with relevant authorities. 

Efforts by MV+ to reach the school’s principal and administrator for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.

However, according to reporting by Mathrubhumi, to whom the teacher’s husband had spoken, the teacher attempted to stop a student from playing games on a computer after reportedly instructing him multiple times not to do so. The situation escalated when the teacher said she would record the student, at which point he allegedly became violent.

The report states that the student first threw the phone before repeatedly striking the teacher in the face, causing her to bleed from the nose and lose consciousness.

The newspaper further reported that the teacher’s husband said she is scheduled to undergo surgery due to multiple fractures to her nose. He also claimed that neither the Ministry of Education nor the school’s management had contacted the family following the incident.

Highlighting the broader implications of the case, MHPU said the assault underscores the vulnerabilities faced by workers across sectors, noting that violence—whether physical, verbal or psychological—has no place in any workplace, including schools and healthcare settings.

Statement: Condemning workplace violence and demanding occupational safety and health protections following the assault on an educator.#OSH #decentwork #qualitycare @PSIasiapacific @MoEdumv @hrcmv @HomeMinistrymv @presidencymv pic.twitter.com/EtRrnAgFut— Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) (@MaldivesHPU) April 15, 2026

The union described the incident as a serious breach of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) principles, stressing that no professional should have to fear for their safety while performing their responsibilities.

MHPU called for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure accountability, warning against the normalization or dismissal of workplace violence. It also urged institutions nationwide to adopt strict “zero tolerance” policies, with clear procedures for reporting incidents, intervening promptly, and supporting victims.