KOTA KINABALU: Nine wardens from SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustapha were removed by the Sabah Education Department, the Coroner's Court heard.
English teacher Nor Asima Zaiton, who confirmed the matter, said she was among those removed.
Asked if the removal was related to the death of Form One Student Zara Qairina Mahathir in July, she said: "Maybe.”
ALSO READ: Internal findings on Zara Qairina's death never shared with police, says witness
The 49-year-old witness said this on Tuesday (Dec 2) when questioned by lawyer Joan Goh, representing one of the children involved in Zara Qairina’s bullying case.
The inquest into Zara Qairina’s death is being conducted before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
"Initially, I wanted to resign long before the incident," Nor Asima said. "When the time came, we were informed by the Education Department that we would no longer serve as wardens."
Asked about six public phones available for students to contact their parents, which were shut down for two days following Zara Qairina’s death, Nor Asima said it was on the instructions of chief warden Azhari Abd Sagap and the measure was intended to minimise panic among parents.
ALSO READ: Zara Qairina complained of sexual harassment about a month after enrolling, inquest told
"The students were not completely barred from calling their parents.
"I even allowed a Form One student who was unwell to use my mobile phone to contact her mother.
"Just imagine if the students had spread (unverified) news, as they did not know what had happened at that time,” she said.
When asked if she had gone against Azhari’s instructions, Nor Asima said: "He didn’t mention mobile phones, his instruction was only about the public phones."
ALSO READ: Zara Qairina shed tears in ambulance on the way to hospital, says teacher
On whether or not the school had been negligent in connection with Zara Qairina’s death, Nor Asima opted not to answer.
The teacher, who did not deny that harsh words were sometimes used among students, also said that a child’s behaviour largely depends on parental upbringing and peer influence.
Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory. – Bernama
