A foreign teacher has received widespread public support following a physical altercation with a senior-grade student at a school in the southern Maldives.  
The incident reportedly occurred around noon on Wednesday, and a 47-second video of the clash has since gone viral on social media.  
The footage shows the teacher repeatedly instructing the student to return to his seat, but the student continues to advance toward him in a confrontational manner, as if testing boundaries. Observers described the behavior as provocative escalation, with the student treating the confrontation like a sport rather than a disciplinary moment.  
The teacher attempts verbal de-escalation before resorting to physical restraint, seemingly trying to retrieve a confiscated item and prevent further disruption. At one point, the student strikes the teacher on the shoulder and tries to walk away, but the teacher restrains him by the neck, leading to a brief struggle.  
While some defended the student, many others voiced support for the teacher, citing disciplinary concerns and classroom misconduct.  
One commenter, Zaujath Ahmed wa Ummu-Hamza, wrote on Sun’s platform:  
“So the teacher confiscated the phone. To which the student retaliated and attacked the teacher first & in response the teacher fought back in self defense! The student should be held accountable, they are literally grownups!!!”  
Another commenter, Fathimath Ibrahim, claimed the teacher had been subjected to repeated abuse by students for several days and called for their suspension.  
And the teacher is suspended , what about the student ? And others who supported this ? The student should face the consequences of disrespecting, provoking ,and insulting the Teacher . https://t.co/uJDOudMc9L
— Aishath Jennifer (@JenniferAishath) December 10, 2025
Former Island Aviation Deputy Managing Director Aishath Jennifer reposted the video on X, writing:  
“And the teacher is suspended, what about the student? And others who supported this?”  
Addu Meedhoo MP Abdul-Rahman also questioned whether the teacher was solely at fault. He went on to say that he would not wish for his children to study alongside children as depicted in the video. 
Other students present during the incident can be heard urging both parties to stop. The video shows the teacher pushing the student away multiple times, while the student continues to throw punches. Observers noted that the student appeared unremorseful and provocative, seemingly enjoying the disruption and the reaction it provoked from the teacher.  
Several clips of the incident have circulated online now, sparking debate over classroom discipline and teacher protection.  
The Ministry of Education has suspended the teacher pending investigation. Police are also probing the case.