Students in the school courtyard
Students in the school courtyard
Students at WE Technology Application School in Mansoura are alleging they were punished with a three-hour outdoor detention for not reciting the national anthem loudly enough. The incident, which occurred on March 7, 2026, has sparked concern among students and parents.
One student, a third-year secondary student at the school, posted on Facebook detailing the alleged punishment. According to the post, students were forced to stand in the sun for approximately three hours, from 7:30 a.m. To 10:00 a.m., without being allowed to sit down.
The student claimed the detention was imposed because their voices were too quiet during the national anthem ceremony. The post also stated that many students were fasting and the heat was intense, yet no one was permitted even a brief respite. The school confiscated students’ phones and tablets to prevent them from documenting the situation or contacting family, despite many students living far from the school and families relying on those phones for check-ins.
The student’s post continued, alleging that the school principal ordered students to empty their bags onto the ground so that devices could be collected, describing the process as “demeaning.” During the extended detention, the post claims, several students fainted from the heat and exhaustion. One student reportedly lost consciousness multiple times and was accused of feigning illness before being struck on the face while unresponsive. Fellow students attempted to revive her.
The student’s complaint also stated that the principal and the school’s executive director were present during the incident and did not intervene. Students were reportedly upset and some were crying, but their pleas were ignored. “We are not asking for anything more than our rights,” the post read. “We come to school to learn, not to be humiliated. We lost the whole day, and we have a practice exam on Sunday.”
In response to the allegations, Mohamed El-Rashidi, the Director of Education for the Dakahlia Governorate, stated that WE School falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, with the Ministry maintaining direct responsibility for the school. The Ministry of Education provides only technical oversight.
El-Rashidi told Al-Masry Al-Youm that an investigation into the students’ complaints is the responsibility of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. He confirmed he had reviewed the social media post and informed the technical education department to forward the complaint to the relevant unit within the Ministry for appropriate action.
