A shocking classroom assault in the Polish city of Toruń has ignited national outrage, after an 18-year-old student violently attacked his 62-year-old teacher during a morning computer science class — sending her to the hospital with head injuries and a split lip. Even more explosive: the school’s principal publicly defended the attacker, insisting he “deserves a second chance.”
The assault took place on November 12 around 9 a.m. According to investigators, the confrontation began over something as trivial as a poorly completed homework assignment. When the teacher pointed out the mistake, the student allegedly snapped — repeatedly striking her until other staff intervened. Police quickly arrested the teen, who has since been charged with assault.
The teacher, though injured, is not in life-threatening condition.
School Expels Student — But Principal Defends Him
The school moved swiftly to expel the student. Yet in a surprising twist, principal Agnieszka Ostrowska told Gazeta Wyborcza she believed the young man should be given a path to redemption.
“No act of aggression should ever be tolerated — everyone in our school community suffers because of this,” she said. However, she added that the attacker was “the last person we would have expected to behave violently.”
Ostrowska then sparked controversy by arguing for compassion over condemnation:
“Everyone deserves a second chance… You can’t write this boy off. He must face the consequences, but not carry them for the rest of his life.”
Her comments divided parents and educators across Poland, with critics accusing the administration of minimizing violence in schools while others praised her call for rehabilitation.
A Growing Crisis of Violence in Polish Schools
The incident comes amid rising concerns about student aggression in Poland. Teachers’ unions have repeatedly warned the government about escalating attacks on faculty, increased classroom stress, and weak disciplinary systems.
Experts say the Toruń assault is a symbol of deeper problems:
• deteriorating respect for authority,
• increased emotional pressures on students,
• and inadequate psychological support in schools.
Many parents demanded stronger protections for teachers, calling the principal’s remarks “dangerously irresponsible.”
What Happens Next
The 18-year-old attacker now faces criminal prosecution and potential civil claims. Meanwhile, the school community remains shaken as staff call for reforms and students launch petitions for stricter safety measures.
The debate — punishment versus rehabilitation — is now raging across Poland.