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By Amira El Masaiti
Rabat – Hiba, only ten, died on Sunday as a result of an eye infection caused, according to her parents, by her schoolteacher in Meknes.
A photo and video of Hiba’s inert bodyposted by her mother on Facebook quickly went viral on social media, accompanied by the hashtag #KollounaHiba (We are Hiba) to express anger and show support to the little girl and her family.
On January 17, Hiba returned from school in tears, complaining that her teacher had beaten her in front of her classmates, according to Hiba’s stepfather in a statement to 2M.ma.
“Two days later, the signs of violence appeared on Hiba’s face: her eye swelled and she could not see very well,” he added.
The girl was then taken to the Mohammed V hospital in Meknes. Her condition improved for a few days but the pain soon returned “especially on the side where she was struck.” In second visit to the hospital, Hiba was prescribed several medications, and she was told by doctors that an X-ray was necessary, according to the same source.
Her stepfather also insisted that Hiba did not suffer from any eye disease or eye infection except for her visual impairment, for which she regularly visited the doctor, pointing out that the infection in her eyes appeared after being struck by her teacher and that he has the necessary medical documents to prove it.
The regional delegate of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training in Meknes, Samia Ben Abou visited the family of the deceased following her death.
Ben Abou told 2M.ma that the death of Hiba was not caused by the physical abuse of her teacher,but rather that Hiba’s autopsy doctor told her that the death was caused by an eye infection which the child was already suffering from.
Hiba’s teacher, when interrogated by the ministry, denied having committed any act of violence against the child.
An investigation was officially shortly opened before Hiba’s death, while she was being transported to Mohammed V Hospital in Meknes.
