Painful lessons from the case of a preschool child who died after being forgotten in a car

According to data from the Thai Binh Province Hydrometeorological Station, on May 29 (the day the child died in the car), the average temperature in Thai Binh City was 28-34 degrees Celsius. The child was left in the car in the Hong Nhung Kindergarten for about 10 hours (from 7am to 5pm). When the car was closed, the temperature inside could be twice as high as the outside temperature. The image of the child waking up alone in the car, screaming in panic and then passing out was truly haunting!

Here we do not condemn anyone and have no right to judge. Because, whose responsibility, to what extent, will be analyzed and handled by the competent authorities. Because on the same night, the Investigation Police Agency of Thai Binh City Police issued a decision to prosecute the case of involuntary manslaughter, stipulated in Article 128 of the Penal Code.

According to information in the press, when entering the classroom, the teacher took a photo of the students' attendance and sent it to the school's software for monitoring and management, but discovered that H. was absent, but did not notify the family.

At that time, just one phone call from the school to the family about the reason why the child did not come to class, saved an innocent life. And that morning, before getting out of the car and turning off the engine, if the teacher and the driver had done a check, they would have definitely discovered that child H. was still in the car. If the safety of the child had been put first, if the school had been responsible and learned lessons from similar stories that had happened, surely child TGH would not have died so unjustly.

Since 2019, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued Document No. 3523 on strengthening solutions to ensure safety for students when using car shuttle services. It clearly states that recently there have been cases of unsafe conditions for students when using this service in some localities... In particular, there have been cases of students being left behind for many hours in cars, leading to death, causing anxiety and indignation in public opinion. Schools must assign teachers or experienced staff to be responsible for managing, checking student lists, ensuring order, hygiene and instructing and reminding students to follow regulations and safety skills when sitting in the car, getting on and off the car; handing over students to the homeroom teacher...

The procedures and regulations for picking up and dropping off students are very specific, but are clearly ignored.

A heartbreaking and haunting story happened just a few days before we enter the 2024 Children's Action Month with the theme "Practical action, prioritizing resources for children". The unjust death of a child at this time, although heartbreaking, is perhaps a more valuable lesson than thousands of general slogans.

In Hai Duong, up to now, there are about 100 cars transporting students, mainly preschool children. Although there has not been a similar incident, this is a great lesson for each teacher and school to reflect and put the safety of children first.

I hope adults will give the best to children. If you care, then care even more, because risks are always lurking around them at any time. Children need to be protected at all times, in all places, in all contexts, don't wait until consequences happen before "clarifying", "assigning responsibility", "holding urgent meetings"...