A teacher testifies she had no ill intent and did not protect any party in the death of student Zara Qairina at a Sabah religious school
KOTA KINABALU: A discipline teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha told the Coroner’s Court she had no ill intentions and was not attempting to protect any party regarding a student’s death.
Nur Shukriah Mohd Fauzi, 37, affirmed she had no personal interest in the case and gave her statement in good faith.
The 53rd witness explained that ‘public caning’ is no longer practised as punishment must now be administered by the Senior Assistant for Student Affairs in a designated room.
She said such punishment must also be witnessed by a disciplinary teacher.
Responding to student testimony describing swearing as common and the school environment as “toxic,” Nur Shukriah said various programmes had been implemented to build character.
“We have carried out many programmes, sir,” she told the court.
“Every day we advise them to speak politely and to respect others.”
Nur Shukriah expressed upset, stating that shaping a child’s character is not 100% the school’s responsibility as parents also play a role.
She gave an example of asking students if their parents wake them for Subuh prayers at home, to which they said no.
“In the dormitory, the warden wakes them up, but that practice isn’t continued when they are at home,” she said.
“We teach them good values, sir.”
Zara Qairina Mahathir was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17.
The Form One student was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory a day earlier. – Bernama
