PTA: Stop speculating on girl’s suicide
NIBONG TEBAL: The parent-teacher association (PTA) of SMK Methodist Nibong Tebal has appealed to all quarters to stop speculating on the death of one of its students, pending the outcome of investigations.
M. Vasanthapiriya died on Feb 1 following a suicide attempt after she was accused by a teacher of stealing an iPhone.
PTA chairman Teoh Seang Hooi said ending speculation would improve the relationship among students, parents and teachers at the school.
“(We) are appealing to all quarters to give us space and time (to heal) by not interfering in the state Education Department and police’s investigations into the matter.
“We are sad and disappointed by the incident and have expressed our condolences to the family of the deceased,” he said yesterday.
Teoh added that the appeal followed a meeting held among the PTA, teachers and parents the day before.
He reminded teachers at the school to abide by the Education Ministry’s standard operating procedures at all times, especially when dealing with students.
Teoh said the PTA had visited Vasanthapiriya’s family and presented aid.
The PTA said it had appealed to the district Education Office to send an experienced English teacher to facilitate the implementation of the school’s dual language programme.
“The request was made after the teacher accused of being involved in Vasanthapiriya’s case was transferred, leaving a gap. This (is affecting) the school’s implementation of the dual language programme,” Teoh said.
In the Jan 24 incident, the Form Two student attempted suicide after being accused by her teacher of theft, a charge she denied.