Vasantha

I read in the papers, with regards to what happened to the late M. Vasantha Piriya (who passed away today- the First of February). According to a report,  on the 24th of January, her class teacher accused Vasantha of stealing her phone. After accusing her, she was confined in a room for approximately 5 hours whereby, two other teachers were present. She was interrogated by the three teachers, and even slapped. Vasantha denied the accusation, but her teacher, unsatisfied, went to Vasantha's house to speak to her parents. The newspaper reported that Vasantha's parents asked the  teacher to talk outside their house in order to resolve the matter. When her father went back inside, he realised that her room was locked, and when he called for her, there was no reply. He broke the door open to find her hanging, unconscious.

She was rushed to the hospital. She was in a coma for the last few days but passed on today.

This should not have happened in the first place.

Teachers are paid by tax-payers not only to educate our children but also to protect and take care of  our children when there is a need. Teachers are not supposed to bully, accuse. or physically assault any children. They are not to behave like gangsters. If there is a problem regarding a student, it is incumbent upon the teacher to raise such matters to the principal of their school, and to take appropriate, matured steps to resolve the issue, without harming the child, emotionally, or physically.

I'm not sure how and what the criteria is to employ a teacher or the training provided to a teacher, but in this instance, the Education Ministry as well as the Malaysian Government should take full responsibility for the untimely death of this young girl.

The best part is that the Education Minstry has been silent. The only thing they have done is transfer the teacher to a desk-job. this seems to be their standard modus-operandi.

As for the three teachers involved, they should be charged for man-slaughter so that all teachers will learn and respect children, because children have rights too.

Article 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution protects the rights of children to live.

I've also read that Mr. David Marshel of the Malaysian Tamilar Kural is advising Vasantha's family.  I'm sure he's doing a great job in making sure Vasantha's family is taking the correct steps.

We are so used to hearing and reading about Indians dying in police custody. Now it seems, in the spirit of Malaysia Boleh, we have opened up a new chapter, where schoolchildren are dying due to their teachers' abusive behaviour, including criminal assault.

With condolences, to her family, I leave you with this:
No parent should ever have to endure the loss of their child.

Rest In Peace Vasantha.