A ninth grader living in a rural area of China attempted suicide on Saturday because she could not reliably access her online classes during the COVID-19 epidemic, domestic media reported. Officials announced Monday that the girl — who they say “felt wronged and acted impetuously” — was immediately rescued and is expected to recover.
The teenager, surnamed Li, lives in Zhangcun, a small town administered by Dengzhou City in the central Henan province. Her father is reportedly lame in one leg and her mother is mentally ill: With their combined disabilities, the two parents have struggled to provide for their three children — Li, her 17-year-old sister, and 13-year-old brother.
Li had taken a large dose of her mother’s medication after falling behind in her school’s livestreamed classes. Li’s parents could only afford one smartphone for the three children to share, according to the report.
Amid the COVID-19 epidemic, the Chinese government has delayed the start of the new school semester after the Lunar New Year holiday, suggesting instead that schools make the switch to online education. But such emergency measures have created new challenges for students in rural areas.
In mid-February, the Ministry of Education launched an online education program as well as a television channel to serve students in rural areas who might not have regular access to computers.
(Image: From @90后农民范儿 on Weibo)
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