Conflicting accounts emerge in case of Moroccan student left with partial paralysis

A 10-year-old boy from southern Morocco remains at the center of an ongoing investigation after a head injury sustained during a school break allegedly left him partially paralyzed, prompting calls from his family for accountability and renewed scrutiny of student safety in schools.

Yasslam Ailal, a fourth-grade student at Foum El Oued School Group near Laayoune, was injured during a recess period on Nov. 20, 2025. Since then, he has undergone extensive medical treatment, including specialized care in Rabat, while authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the boy’s family, the injury occurred around 10 a.m. inside the school grounds. They say the child suffered a severe blow to the head during recess and that the exact cause remains unclear despite the presence of surveillance cameras on campus.

The family alleges that school officials failed to notify them immediately and did not arrange urgent medical treatment. Instead, they say ice was applied to the injury before the child was allowed to continue his day and leave school at the regular dismissal time.

The boy’s condition later deteriorated, leading to hospitalization. Medical complications eventually resulted in partial paralysis, according to his relatives, who say he was later transferred to a university hospital in Rabat for specialized treatment.

Family members contend that a more immediate response could have prevented the severity of the outcome. They have filed a complaint against unknown persons and are awaiting the results of an investigation conducted by Morocco’s Royal Gendarmerie.

The case has attracted local public attention and political interest. Lawmaker Mohamed Ayyash, representing the Laayoune region, submitted a written question to the Ministry of National Education, requesting clarification regarding what he described as conflicting information surrounding the incident.

The family has also staged protests in Rabat, calling for a comprehensive investigation, accountability for any wrongdoing and continued medical support for the child.

School officials dispute allegations of negligence. In a statement issued on Dec. 8, 2025, the administration of Foum El Oued School Group said the student was involved in a school accident during recess but denied reports that he had been assaulted on campus or neglected afterward.

According to the school, staff members provided first aid and followed the procedures required in such situations. Administrators said the child did not lose consciousness or display symptoms requiring emergency medical intervention and continued attending classes under staff supervision.

The school said protecting students remains a top priority and rejected accusations that it failed to provide appropriate care.

Official administrative reports reviewed by local media offer another account of the incident. According to those documents, the boy was playing near the school’s flagpole when he was struck on the back of the head by a stray stone from an unidentified source.

The reports state that school personnel immediately cleaned and dressed the wound before the student returned to class and later completed a continuous assessment test. Authorities also said the family was informed and that the incident was reported through the administrative channels required for school accident insurance procedures.

The documents further indicate that educational authorities later assisted the family by facilitating remote learning and providing support during the child’s medical treatment.

As the investigation continues, significant questions remain unanswered. While the family insists the full truth has yet to emerge, school officials maintain that established procedures were followed. Authorities have not yet announced the results of the inquiry, leaving the circumstances of the incident under review.