MELAKA: The Year Five pupil who fell from the first-floor corridor of a primary school in Batu Berendam here was not a victim of bullying.
Melaka education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said investigations found that the 11-year-old boy had climbed the corridor area to retrieve a shoe.
“Based on the initial findings, the incident did not occur due to bullying as speculated on social media.
“The pupil is believed to have climbed up to retrieve a shoe before falling from the corridor area,” he said on Thursday (May 7).
He said the boy was attempting to retrieve a shoe that had been thrown onto the school roof before he lost his footing and fell in the 12.35pm incident on Wednesday (May 6).
He said the shoe, belonging to another classmate, was allegedly thrown by the boy.
Rahmad said the pupil became afraid when another of his classmates wanted to report the matter to a teacher when he climbed the corridor area in an attempt to retrieve the shoe.
“The pupil sustained minor injuries and was allowed to return home after receiving treatment at a nearby hospital,” he said.
Rahmad urged the public to refrain from making assumptions or spreading unverified claims that could cause unnecessary concern among parents.
Earlier, it was reported that the pupil was rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries in the fall.
Initial reports claimed the boy had attempted to retrieve his shoe after it was allegedly thrown by another pupil, leading to speculation that the incident was linked to bullying.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit confirmed the incident and told media that an official statement will be issued by police on the incident.
