All of us growing up have probably met a bully. And all of us probably know bullying is bad. If you did not know that, you might have been the bully in high school…
Bullying has evolved and become an epidemic within schools today. Beyond just physical violence, many children have been emotionally abused, resulting in many adverse effects on their developing psyches, like anger issues and depression.
However, in some rare cases, it may contribute to suicide.
Bullying From Teachers And Friends
You would expect teachers, of all people, to stand up against bullying. Or at the very least, not contribute to the problem.
That was not true for the teachers of 14-year-old schoolboy Lu Shijie from Shanghai.
On 14 November, Shijie went back home after school. He seemed especially deflated and demoralised that day as he did his homework.
Not long after, his father was contacted by Shijie’s teacher, who claimed that Shijie was not doing well in school.
When Shijie was asked about what happened in school, he adamantly defended himself. He stressed that his teacher was prejudiced against him – only he was scolded for playing, although it was simply because it was his turn and not his friends’.
It is also alleged by his father that the teachers did not really care about his son as he was not a local student and did not have desirable grades.
This situation felt extremely unfair for Shijie. After finishing his account, Shijie became rather agitated and ran out of the house.
His father promptly chased Shijie, but when he found him, he was already unconscious with a half-empty bottle of pesticide. He had attempted suicide.
Shijie was hurriedly transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, after 24 hours of emergency treatment, he suffered from respiratory failure and passed away.
Questions from Shijie’s father revealed darker secrets. It was found that the peers he called friends had in fact been bullying him.
They would tease him for being poor and had mocked him every time his grandfather picked him up using a tricycle.
His father said Shijie never shared about these problems with his family, that he was introverted and kept it to himself.
The school currently denies any rumours of bullying and refuses to comment on the incident.
A Preventable Tragedy
We do not know if the direct cause of death is the result of the bullying that the poor boy suffered. However, it seems very likely that it is a contributory cause to the anguish the boy felt.
Around the world, there are many more Shijies who live fearfully under the tyranny of their school bullies, and people only find out about it when it is too late.
As parents, teachers, and friends, we should always be vigilant for the ones among us who need help – even if they seem to be okay on the surface.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
Read Also:
- Salon Allegedly Charged $880 Treatment Package to Elderly Who Has Hearing Difficulties
- Man Replaces M’sia-Registered Car With a S’pore Plate & Drives It Without a Driving Licence
- Confirmed: Allianz Withdraws Its Offer to Buy Income Insurance
- 10th Floor Resident Leaves Baby Stroller On Air Conditioner Compressor
- $400 Worth of Durians Delivered to Customer; Customer Allegedly Takes Durians Without Making Payment
- Woman Borrows Touch ‘N Go Card From S’pore Driver to Cross JB Checkpoint & Didn’t Return Card
Advertisements
