Samarkand school staff punished after forcing student to kneel in apology (video)

A video circulating on social media showing a student kneeling in front of a girl to apologize has sparked public outrage in Uzbekistan. The incident took place in the Pakhtachi district of the Samarkand region and involved staff from School No. 21, including the deputy director.

According to Dilfuza Sobirova, spokesperson for the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the incident occurred in April 2024 after a male student, identified as H.T., allegedly insulted a female classmate, E.Ya. Following the incident, the school's deputy director, the class teacher, and the school psychologist escorted the girl and her sister to the boy's home to receive an apology—with the consent of E.Ya.'s mother.

The widely circulated video was recorded by the girl’s mother, identified as S.D., during the apology. As a result, law enforcement authorities imposed administrative sanctions on S.D. for her actions during the incident.

Additionally, disciplinary measures have been taken against the deputy director S.D., class teacher V.S., and school psychologist E.R. by order of the school’s director for their involvement in facilitating the kneeling apology.

It is also noted that student H.T. has been living in Family Orphanage No. 1 in the Samarkand region since November 16, 2021, as per a decision issued by the regional mayor.