The Ombudsperson's Office received a petition about an alleged physical abuse acts against a pupil committed by his/her teachers from a locality in the central region of the country. On the basis of his duties, the Ombudsperson asked for explanations from the administration of the educational institution and from District Education Directorate with regards to the alleged acts reported in the petition. According to the information received from District Prosecutor’s Office that investigates the case, a criminal prosecution was initiated in this respect under Article 328 (1) of the Criminal Code.

The employees of the Service for Protection of the Rights of the Child from the Ombudsperson's Office found that the general situation of the pupil was difficult: the pupil is in the ninth form - a graduating form of the lower secondary education cycle - and since September he has missed 12 days from school, without any justification, and has other indicators of difficulties.

On 25 November Tamara Tentiuc, consultant in the Ombudsperson's Office, made a monitoring visit in the respective educational institution. During her visit, a working session took place and was attended by the school administration, community social worker, a representative from the police, one from District Education Directorate and the teachers concerned. The participants discussed about the causes of unjustified absences, school situation, discipline and behaviour, and suggested some solutions to overcome the crisis situation.

To elucidate the situation from all the perspectives, the representative from Ombudsperson's Office, Education Directorate and community social worker made a visit to the pupil’s family and discussed with the parents about all the problems and the crisis situation that their child is experiencing. At the same time, the parents were warned about the responsibilities that they have in respect to their child and the consequence for the failure to comply with the responsibilities.

Difficult situations encountered by a teenager do not appear over the night, they accumulate over time, and the adults surrounding him/her must pay specific attention and assume the responsibility for the quality of the minor’s life, and must ensure the observance of rights and guarantees that a child enjoy, which means assistance in all areas, efficient help, individual work with the child.

This case and thechild’s situation will be monitored further on by the Ombudsperson's Office.