SEREMBAN, 1 April 2009: A nine-year-old pupil of Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Kg Tiong in Gemas, who was caned by a teacher at the school yesterday, died today.
According to Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, the boy had complained about feeling dizzy after the caning session and on seeing his condition was taking a turn for the worse, the school authorities contacted his parents before sending him to the Segamat Hospital for treatment.
“The parents, however, had him transferred to the Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru but later brought him back home the same day after being told by the hospital authorities that chances of their son recovering were slim,” he told reporters after attending a blood donation campaign at the Negeri Sembilan police headquarters here today.
He said it was understood the boy had central nervous system problems and dismissed allegations that the caning had caused his death.
He added that the boy died at home at 3.30am today.
Osman said that on a personal note, in future, he advised parents to inform school authorities if their children were suffering any ailments.
“This way the schools will have proper records on the health condition of their charges … teachers will be extra cautious when taking any disciplinary action against them,” he said. — Bernama
