The classroom vandalized by a group of senior students. (Credit: Provided by the school)
Every year in Lebanon, the last day of school life, before study leave and then the final baccalaureate exams, is an opportunity for graduating seniors to celebrate and create a cheerful mess at their school.
But this tradition, usually tolerated by schools, took a more violent turn Thursday at the Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais of Beirut, where a small group of students engaged in vandalism of a classroom and briefly caused panic.
This behavior "will not go unpunished," according to the principal of the institution, Jean-Michel Maigre. The principal reflected on events that have caused a stir since Thursday, given videos circulating online, while parents are calling for "strong and immediate measures."
This incident occurred while the French baccalaureate exams have been canceled this year in Lebanon by decision of the French National Education Ministry, and the Lebanese baccalaureate will be adjusted, notably with the introduction of three consecutive sessions and a reduction of exam subjects.
According to Maigre, 244 seniors were celebrating their big departure. After a morning where they shared a convivial breakfast with their teachers and staff during which "tears occasionally flowed," as the principal recounted, and spent time with the younger elementary students, "a group of about twenty students went up to the higher floors."
"Some masked and hooded, they forced doors, pushed supervisors, and vandalized a classroom, breaking desks and chairs," he specified. Amid the confusion, firecrackers were thrown, causing a brief moment of panic on campus. "An argument broke out between students. A girl even had an asthma attack," Maigre noted regretfully.
Videos and photos made the rounds on social media, causing distress among parents. "The circulating videos create the impression of general chaos, but these incidents took place over a very short time and in one area of the school, far from the elementary section," the principal stressed, after having shared the images with parents.
Just 11 minutes were enough for "this core group of students" to force four doors, vandalize a classroom, tag walls with paint, and create chaos. In the aftermath, "they were followed by 150 to 200 students who went up to the higher floors, without necessarily participating in the destruction," observed the principal, adding that the students had been thoroughly searched that morning.
By late morning, order was quickly restored. Many students even apologized before heading home. But for Maigre, "the incident is serious, and it will not go unpunished," because these acts showed "an intent to harm the school." "Our community is morally hurt, and given the realities of the country, these incidents are tragic," the principal insisted.
"Appropriate measures will be taken as soon as the investigation is completed," he promised. And "for now, the graduation celebration scheduled for June 23 has been suspended." He also noted that the damage had been repaired and the vandalized classroom is once again operational.
The decision was made "with full exchange and trust, and in alignment with the students' parents," assured the head of the school. Parents are also shocked. The Parents’ Committee, for its part, issued a statement denouncing "the lack of intervention by security personnel from the outset of the violence" and calling on the school to clarify the situation.
"The safety of our children can in no way be compromised. It is imperative that clear answers and strong and immediate measures are provided," the statement emphasized.
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