A physical education teacher in Malaysia made the entire class run 30 laps around the school’s volleyball court with their face masks on as a punishment for not completing their homework. After running 15 laps and walking the remaining laps, a female student suffered from palpitations and was sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) for medical assistance.
The incident, which happened at Foon Yew High School in Kulai, Johor, on May 11, only came to light after the teen’s mother posted a photo of her daughter lying in a hospital bed, reported Oriental Daily.
The post quickly gained traction and went viral, with netizens slamming the school and the PE teacher.
Many also debated the topic of physical punishment in such instances.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old’s mother claimed that the school brushed her off when she brought up what happened a few days later.
“They told me the issue has been settled and that mask-wearing was not enforced during physical activity,” said the mother to China Press after her request to see the principal was denied.
According to her daughter, the teacher asked everyone to wear their masks even when exercising except when they feel ill.
“If my daughter was lying, then why was the whole class wearing their face masks when running?” the mother asked in her post that has since been taken down but widely shared online.
She added it was unfair for her daughter to be included in the punishment when she finished her homework.
The principal soon called the mother to apologise. She was invited to the school on May 18, after her post went viral.
The teacher in question and the principal issued an apology for the incident. They told China Press that if the parents submit an official letter describing their daughter’s health condition, they could let the student use the elevator and be excused from intense exercises.
A follow-up post by the mother notes that they would no longer be pursuing matter. /TISG