Malaysian teacher transferred after allegedly forcing child with heart condition to run
An 11-year-old Malaysian girl with a heart condition died months after she was allegedly made to take part in a school running event despite her medical history.
According to Bernama, the teacher involved has since been transferred to another school while authorities continue investigating the case.
Allegedly made to run despite heart condition
The incident took place on 14 April, when Nur Qaira Alisha Ahmad ‘Ilwan was reportedly involved in trials for an 80-metre running event as part of her school’s sports programme.
Her father later claimed that a teacher had instructed her to take part despite the school having been given a medical letter confirming her heart condition.
A school source quoted by Bernama also said Nur Qaira had suffered from heart disease since childhood.
After the event, she fell ill and began receiving treatment on 17 April. Her condition reportedly worsened over the following week, and she was admitted to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital on 24 April after experiencing severe vomiting and swelling around her eyes.
Source: @sinarharian on Threads
She was subsequently diagnosed with heart failure due to decompensated dilated cardiomyopathy and remained out of school for the next four months.
Her father also alleged that she became bedridden and required oxygen support during this period.
Nur Qaira later died at 7.49pm on 26 Aug.
Source: Fadhlina Sidek on Facebook
Teacher transferred while investigations continue
Nur Qaira’s family lodged a complaint over the incident on 10 May, after which the Kedah State Education Department conducted an investigation.
Following Nur Qaira’s death, Malaysian Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said she had instructed the Ministry of Education’s Integrity Unit to take further action in accordance with existing regulations and laws, and “based on the principle of fairness to all parties”.
In a Facebook post, she said the ministry “takes seriously every matter involving the safety and welfare of students”, adding that its immediate priority was to ensure Nur Qaira’s family was given “the appropriate space and support” while grieving.
A Kedah State Education Department spokesperson said the teacher was transferred to another school shortly after the preliminary investigation as an “initial intervention measure”.
The case has since been handed over to the ministry’s Integrity Unit for further action.
Authorities have also urged the public not to speculate about the case and to allow the state education department and ministry to conduct a thorough investigation.
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Featured image adapted from @sinarharian on Threads and Fadhlina Sidek on Facebook.
