KAJANG – A 12-year-old boy suffered a broken collarbone after being pushed to the ground in what his mother described as the most serious bullying incident he has endured at a religious primary school here.
The victim’s mother, known as Nina (not her real name), 45, said the incident occurred last April and has left a lasting impact on her son.
Recounting the incident, Nina said it happened after Asar prayers at the school surau when several pupils pulled away the prayer mat, causing her son to fall.
According to her, this was not the first time her child had been bullied, as his school uniform had previously been smeared with ink and classmates often mocked him.
"This incident, which caused his collarbone to break, is too serious. I lodged a police report, and the investigating officer came to the school, took statements from the headmaster, class teacher, several witnesses and parents,” she told Sinar.
As a result of the incident, Nina said her son, the third of five children, has changed in character, no longer being cheerful and often crying whenever he has to go to school.
“My son has become quiet and anxious, as if haunted by the fear of the incident repeating. He used to be very active and loved going to school, but now he is withdrawn and has lost his self-confidence,” she said.
Nina added that she is now considering legal action by filing a civil suit against the class teacher, the school and the parents of the pupils involved on the grounds of negligence.
“However, on humanitarian grounds, I am still waiting and giving the school a chance to inform me of the actions taken against the bullies,” she said.