ALBAWABA - A gut-wrenching video recently flooded social media, capturing a school principal pushing a 13-year-old autistic student down the stairs in Manisa, Turkey. The incident sparked outrage among locals, with many calling for the principal's suspension.
According to Turkish news outlet Birgun, the student's family claimed that the principal allegedly failed to call the ambulance or provide first aid, and left the autistic child to go back home on their own. Reports revealed that the terrifying video was captured by a surveillance camera at Refik Pınar Middle School.
The mother added that her child came back home covered in dust, while holding his arm and head. When she asked him what happened, the child told her that the principal pushed him down the stairs. She recalls quickly calling the principal; however, she revealed that he ignored her call.
Video: Principal pushes autistic student down the stairs in Turkey
She went to the school the next day and filmed the surveillance footage to file a complaint against the principal. The mother claimed that she had filed a complaint against the principal before, stating further that he had treated her autistic child badly several times in the past. Additionally, the mother is now taking the issue to court.
The Autistic Solidarity and Rights Association released a statement that read, "This incident is not merely violence directed at a child. It is an attack on society's conscience, its right to education, and human dignity. It is unacceptable, inexcusable, and unjustifiable for a school principal to use physical violence against a child whom he is responsible for educating. "
It further outlined, "Such incidents re-ignite the prejudices, discrimination, and exclusion we have been fighting against for years, and exacerbate the difficulties experienced by individuals with autism in educational environments."
The association concluded that all teachers in Turkey should receive mandatory training to deal properly with autistic children and added that it won't allow the incident to be forgotten, adding that justice will be served.
