The Lecture from The Mysterious Disappearance At A Private School
THE Facebook post containing information about a recent incident had a significant impact on our quaint town. It reported the disappearance of a female student from a local boarding school the previous night. Our small town, despite its size, boasts three private schools, signifying the importance of education in our community. The missing student was a twelfth-grader, approximately 17 years old.
I too found myself intrigued by this latest development. The day after the incident, several female students from the same private school as the missing girl approached me before their language class. They were eager to share details of the peculiar incident with me. Instead of allowing them to convey the information verbally, I suggested that they write an essay titled “The Remarkable Events from Two Days Ago.” They agreed wholeheartedly, assuring me that they would deliver the essays the following night. What follows is an interesting essay penned by one of my female students, Ms. Kyal.
The news of a schoolgirl getting lost from her boarding school has left the people of our town amazed and concerned. The incident occurred a few days ago, and the authorities have been working tirelessly to find the missing girl.
The school in question is a private school that is attached to a boarding school. This means that many students live on campus and are under the care of the school management. The girl’s parents had entrusted the school with their daughter’s safety, and they are understandably distressed by her disappearance.
According to reports, the girl went missing during a routine evening roll call. It is uncertain how she managed to leave the premises undetected. The school immediately contacted the authorities, and a search party was set up to comb the surrounding areas. However, despite their best efforts, the girl has yet to be found.
Following the incident, the school management released a statement reassuring parents and students of their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all students. They have pledged to review and strengthen their procedures and protocols to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The community has also come together to support the search efforts. Flyers with the girl’s photo and details have been circulated in town, and social media has been actively used to spread the word. The police have urged anyone with information on the girl’s whereabouts to come forward.
Two days ago, a perplexing event unfolded in our school, situated on Ooyin Street, Kyaunggon, Ayeyawady Region that left our entire community in shock. The news of our friend, Ms Thaw, going missing sent ripples of concern throughout the school grounds. She resided in the same boarding school compound as our principal, making her sudden disappearance even more baffling.
Shortly after the news broke, some of our fellow students from the boarding school joined our class. Oddly, they acted as if nothing unusual had occurred. In my curiosity, I approached Ms Thinzar, one of the boarding students, and asked, “Is it true that Ms. Thaw is missing?” To my surprise, she responded, “We are attending guided teaching classes, so we know nothing.” This response left me intrigued, and I began to question others. Eventually, one of them admitted to the truth – Ms Thaw was indeed missing, and they were keeping it hushed.
As the school day progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly tense. During the first period, while the Myanmarsar teacher was instructing, two other teachers, Mr Lwin (Chemistry) and Mr Phyo (Mathematics), entered our classroom wearing motorcycle helmets, their faces filled with worry. They requested information from the students, as they were tasked by our principal to locate Ms Thaw. Their account of the events leading to her disappearance shed some light on the mystery.
It all began when Ms Thaw requested the key to the restroom from the dormitory warden early in the morning. Another student made a similar request shortly afterwards, and the warden obliged. However, when the next student ventured outside, there was no sign of Ms Thaw. Her absence was discovered when Mr Phyo conducted a headcount. It was then that the search for her commenced. Surprisingly, her personal items, including her umbrella, torch, slippers, and a button, were found scattered along the path to the restroom. There were signs that she might have fallen. This unsettling scene prompted the involvement of Ms Thaw’s parents, who arrived distressed and anxious.
Following this explanation, Mr Lwin and Mr Phyo left the room, leaving behind a sombre and fearful atmosphere. Two hours later, Mr San, another teacher, entered our classroom and questioned the students who were closest to Ms Thaw. This included Ms Saung Oo, her best friend, as well as Ms Ei Mon and Ms Zar Chi. They were asked to share everything they knew about Ms Thaw’s situation. Soon, we learned that Ms Thaw’s parents had filed a report with the local authorities at the police station, causing a stir at the boarding school, with law enforcement personnel becoming involved.
As time passed, anxiety levels soared. Teachers struggled to focus on teaching, and our classroom remained in a state of hushed distress. By lunchtime, news of Ms Thaw’s disappearance had spread on social media, particularly on Facebook, though no trace of her had been found. The situation had attracted attention far beyond our town’s borders.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on our teachers, and Ms Saung Oo, Ms Thaw’s friend, was inconsolable. Our studies came to a standstill as we grappled with the uncertainty of the situation. We remained in the dark until we returned home. Our headmaster faced significant pressure, as he had to submit a report to local authorities within 12 hours. The situation grew increasingly complex, with Ms Chaw, the boarding school’s warden, and our headmaster’s wife spending time at the police station. Ms Thaw’s parents held Ms Chaw responsible for their daughter’s disappearance.
Finally, news of Ms Thaw’s whereabouts came to light, alleviating the anxiety that had gripped the community. At 7:38 pm, she called her father from Pathein and asked him to come to her. However, she requested that only her mother and sister join her. This led to a group consisting of two policemen, her sister, her mother, and Ms Chaw heading towards Pathein. Shortly afterwards, Ms Thaw called again, this time saying she was in Chaungtha, a well-known beach destination. The group promptly redirected their efforts to Chaungtha.
The following day brought relief to everyone as Ms Thaw was reunited with her family. However, the mystery deepened when it was revealed that she had left the school grounds on her own, bypassing the school’s security. She claimed to have gone to Daga village by bus, where she sold her earrings, bought new clothes, shoes, and hats, and continued to Chaungtha by car. She attributed her actions to depression caused by Ms Chaw, the warden, and placed the blame squarely on her.
The official investigation may have concluded, but the townsfolk continued to engage in gossip as if they were privy to all the details. New catchphrases circulated amongst us at school. If someone expressed a desire to go somewhere, another would retort, “Just head to Chaungtha.” If someone lamented the weariness of school lessons, another would jest, “Then escape to Chaungtha.” Our collective uncertainty persisted regarding whether Ms Thaw would return to school, but one thing remained certain: we were eager to hear her account of the astounding incident that had captivated the people of Kyaunggon.
While the case eventually reached a resolution, it left us with many unanswered questions. It remains unclear why Ms Thaw chose to fabricate her own kidnapping and venture out on her own. Her actions had far-reaching consequences, causing anxiety for her parents, teachers, and friends. If I were in Ms Thaw’s shoes, I would never have chosen a course of action that would inflict such worry upon those around me.
My female student’s essay concluded here but some puzzled thoughts overwhelmed me.
In the wake of the perplexing events surrounding Ms Thaw’s disappearance and her subsequent return, our quiet town finds itself pondering the role of private schools within our community. The incident shed light on the unique challenges and responsibilities these institutions bear.
Private schools, as we know, offer specialized education and often pride themselves on providing a safe and nurturing environment for their students. Parents entrust not only their children’s education but also their well-being to these establishments.
The disappearance of a student from one of our local private schools has made us realize that the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of students goes beyond the classroom. It extends to the boarding facilities, where students reside for a significant part of their academic lives. The incident prompted the school management to reevaluate its security protocols and procedures, promising parents and students a renewed commitment to safeguarding their welfare.
The incident also highlighted the close-knit nature of our community, where news spreads quickly, and collective concern and support emerge in times of crisis. The town rallied together to assist in the search efforts, and social media played a pivotal role in spreading awareness. It was a stark reminder of how interconnected our lives have become, thanks to technology and the power of social networks.
As we reflect on these recent events, we are left with a mix of relief and bewilderment. Ms Thaw’s actions, while inexplicable to many, have united us in curiosity and speculation. We await her return to school, not only to hear her firsthand account of what transpired but also to understand the complex emotions and pressures that may have led to her actions.
In the end, the presence of private schools in our town serves as a testament to our community’s commitment to education and its enduring values. While we may grapple with questions and uncertainties, we remain resolute in our belief in the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for our students, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally. The events of these past days have brought this commitment into sharp focus, and we look forward to a future where every student’s well-being is of paramount importance.
Yin Nwe Ko
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar