Chong: Cikgu Azizan had no intention of hurting pupil

NILAI: Teacher Azizan Manap may have failed to follow a directive to use a cane to discipline a problematic pupil but he had no intention of causing injury, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

Chong who met the teacher, better known as Cikgu Azizan, on Wednesday, said he also wanted to personally meet the parents of the 11-year-old pupil to resolve the matter amicably.

“In this case, we know that the teacher may have failed to abide by the ministry’s directive which stipulates that he can only use a cane as the harshest punishment.

“For female students with indiscipline, they can only be given verbal warnings,” he said.

On Tuesday, a magistrate’s court decided to discharge but not acquit Azizan after the deputy public prosecutor said they would not be pursuing the case.

He allegedly committed the offence at 7am on April 6 at SK Taman Semarak.

Chong said it was important for the matter to be resolved so both parties could move on.

“Taking this matter to court has not benefited anyone,” he said.

Chong said ministry officials would also be conducting its own investigation on the matter.

“We want teachers to strictly abide by ministry directives when disciplining pupils,” he said.

Chong said teachers could also send problematic students to detention class or even stop them from taking part in certain activities.

SK Taman Semarak Parent-Teacher Association head Md Fakarudin Ab Rahman also expressed hope that the matter would be put to rest.

“The PTA hopes both parties will move on from here. We want the best for the pupil as well as the teacher,” he added.