ALOR SETAR: A teacher believed to be involved in the case of an 11-year-old girl who allegedly died from a heart condition after being forced to participate in sports activities has been transferred pending the outcome of an investigation, according to the Kedah Education Department.
A Kedah Education Department spokesman said the teacher was transferred to another school shortly after an initial investigation, describing the move as an early intervention.
"The matter has been referred to the Integrity Unit of the Education Ministry for further action.
"The public is urged not to speculate about the case and to give the state Education Department and the Education Ministry room to conduct a thorough investigation,” the spokesman told Bernama on Friday (Aug 28).
Meanwhile, an internal school source said the incident involving the pupil happened on April 14, when she was reportedly involved in a selection trial for the 80-metre race for the school’s sports event.
"The pupil had a history of heart disease since childhood. (After taking part in the sports activity), she fell ill and began receiving treatment on April 17. She did not attend school for four months, and a complaint was lodged by her family on May 10,” the source said.
Earlier, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek instructed the MOE Integrity Unit to take further action over the death of Nur Qaira Alisha Ahmad ‘Ilwan, a pupil at a primary school in Kedah, in accordance with the prevailing rules and laws.
She was also informed that Kedah Education Department had investigated the complaint lodged by the girl’s family.
Previously, the victim’s father’s social media post went viral, alleging that his daughter, who had a heart condition, was instructed by a teacher to participate in a running activity during the selection for the school’s sports teams although a medical letter confirming her condition had been submitted.
Following the incident, Nur Qaira Alisha was allegedly bedridden and had to be placed on oxygen before she was reported to have died at 7.49pm last Wednesday (Aug 26). - Bernama
