PADANG TERAP: Training in psychology skills among teachers will be carried out from time to time so that they can help avert suicide among students.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the improvisation and adjustment to psychology skills training could be done as the subject was already being taught at Malaysia Teachers Training Colleges (IPGM) and public universities offering teachers training courses.
"I think it is something crucial and the training could be improvised from time to time since it is already part of the training at IPGMs and our universities," he told reporters.
Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap member of Parliament was responding to a question whether there was a need to improvise psychology skills training among teachers in the wake of the suicide case involving a student from Penang after being accused of stealing a handphone belonging to her teacher.
He also expressed his sadness over the incident and extended his condolences to the student's family.
"We are extending our grief, sympathy and condolences to the student's parents and her family members.
"We are leaving to the police to investigate the incident," he said after flagging off 'Estate Run' 2018 at Kampung Felcra Belimbing Tualak in Kuala Nerang here today.
Mahdzir said the teacher linked to the incident had been transferred to the District Education Office pending investigation by the police and State Education Department.
On Jan 25, Form Two student from Nibong Tebal, M. Vasanthapiriya, 14, had attempted suicide after being accused of stealing her teacher's iPhone.
The teacher and her husband – who is a teacher from another school – allegedly threatened to lodge a police report on the matter.
The girl was found unconscious but alive by her father who rushed her to hospital.
However, she succumbed to the injuries on Monday without regaining consciousness.