Child suicide covered up in China, says think tank as it calls on authorities to publish figures
Report’s assessment of youth suicide suggests academic pressures may have an impact, but authors believe their findings are the tip of an iceberg
Child suicide in China is a growing concern, according to a Beijing-based education think tank that has accused the authorities of covering up the extent of the issue.
The 21st Century Education Research Institute urged the authorities to reveal suicide figures so that academics could obtain an accurate picture, including assessing the academic pressures placed on children.
No authority on the mainland releases child suicide statistics, but there are signs that it is more widespread than was thought, said the institute’s director Yang Dongping.
“It’s a serious issue that we can’t turn a blind eye to,” Yang told the South China Morning Post as the think tank published The China Educational Development Yearbook, a study that included an examination of child suicide cases.
The report found far fewer cases during summer and winter school holidays than at other times, and a rise in cases during the first week of school terms, when many pupils are ranked according to test scores. “This puts a lot of pressure on students,” Yang said.
“Education departments – from central to local authorities – all cover up the numbers of student suicides.