NIBONG TEBAL: A Form Two student attempted to commit suicide after being accused of stealing her teacher's iPhone.
The 14-year-old, from a school in Nibong Tebal, was apparently summoned by four teachers at the school on Wednesday and quizzed over the disappearance of one of the teachers' mobile phones.
Despite her repeated denials, one of the teachers reportedly struck the student for failing to own up to the theft.
The teacher and her husband, who is also a teacher but from another school, allegedly threatened to lodge a police report on the matter.
The girl however, maintained her innocence and her father, who was told about the case later, was adamant that she did not do it.
Overcome with emotion, the girl later tried to hang herself in her home. However, she was saved by her father.
The father reported the matter to the police today. He was accompanied by Seberang Prai Municipal Council councillor David Marshel.
Marshel told the New Straits Times that the treatment the student received at the hands of the teacher was appalling.
He said the teacher did not follow the standard operating procedure when investigating the incident.
“The teacher should have brought the matter to the disciplinary teacher and investigated it together with the parents or the guardian of the child.
“None of this happened. They even threatened the girl with a police report,” he said.
Marshel said the district education department has assured the family that the matter will be investigated and action will be taken, if necessary.