‘No academic stress here,’ Hong Kong school says after suicides of pupil, mother
Psychologist also urges close monitoring of traumatised children, cautioning against immediate return home after death of family member
A Hong Kong school recovering from the suicides of a Primary Six pupil and her mother does not subject students to intense academic pressure, a student and the vice-principal have said, emphasising that promotion to its secondary section is automatic.
Their remarks came on Friday as an experienced psychologist advised against allowing surviving relatives to return home immediately after the suicide of a family member at the residence.
A 48-year-old woman took her own life at her flat in Lu Shan Mansion in Taikoo Shing on Wednesday following an argument with her 12-year-old daughter over an education-related matter.
The daughter was later assessed by hospital staff and cleared to return home with her father, but she subsequently jumped to her death the same day.
At GT (Ellen Yeung) College in Tseung Kwan O, where the girl studied, classes proceeded as usual. The school’s principal prevented reporters from approaching students, saying the administration did not want to trigger distress.
Jacob, a student in the same academic year as the girl, said he did not know her personally but had not experienced any intense academic pressure.