A 13-year-old student from Nibong Tebal, Penang recently tried to hang herself after being accused of stealing her teacher’s mobile phone. The girl is now in the Intensive Care Unit at the Seberang Jaya Hospital. (Editor's note: The student passed away on Feb 1.)

Like many Malaysians, I am deeply saddened by this case.

However, as a parent who has spent 13 years walking up and down the school stairs leading to the principal’s office, I know there are many other cases which have gone under the radar, in which students have been mentally harassed, verbally abused, punished and bullied by teachers.

Unlike the poor girl who is still fighting for her life, there are many other students who choose to endure their teachers’ bullying. Sadly, their plights usually vanish into thin air.

While many netizens continuously bash the girl's teacher for her actions, we do not seem too bothered about other students who are also bullied by their teachers.

Why?

I guess people assume there is no sense of urgency when a child does not resort to harming his or her own self...