I am writing this to reflect on the toxic environment at SMK Perempuan Likas. In 2006/2007, I survived a life-threatening bout of pneumonia and internal bleeding that followed a lifetime of severe asthma and being born premature. Despite the severity of my condition, the school’s culture was one of suspicion rather than support.
Upon my return in Form 3, my homeroom teacher publicly humiliated me in front of the class, accusing me of 'buying' my official medical leave letters. This attitude was shared by several other teachers who labeled me a 'problem student' simply because I was too ill to attend, despite the fact that my grades remained consistent.
For a school to prioritize attendance over a student’s survival—and to bully a child for being sick—is a profound failure of their duty of care. I hope the administration has since learned that medical certificates are not 'excuses,' and that sick children deserve empathy, not labels.
