JOHOR BARU: A teacher, alleged to have assaulted his pupils after they caught him smoking in a school, is being investigated by authorities, says state executive councillor Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid.
The Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman said the religious school teacher has been placed at the district’s Islamic Education office following the incident.
“The state government takes this allegation seriously, and we strongly oppose the use of force against pupils. A report has been lodged over the matter, and the district Islamic Education office has also given its fullest cooperation to the police as they investigate the incident.
“The teacher in question has been placed at the district’s Islamic Education office while the investigation is ongoing, and the students involved have been allowed to take days off,” Mohd Fared said in a statement here yesterday.
He added that the Johor Islamic Religious Department’s education division would continue to ensure a conducive learning environment for pupils and teachers in all religious schools.
“I urge all parties to respect the investigation process. Further action will be taken, including disciplinary action, in accordance with the investigation findings,” he said.
On Friday, a religious school teacher in Pontian was alleged to have slapped, punched and attempted to strangle four of his pupils between the ages of 10 and 11.
The 48-year-old teacher reportedly did so while hurling foul words at the students after they caught him smoking in a storeroom at the school.
Pontian OCPD Shofee Tayib reportedly said that the parents of the victims had lodged reports at the Ayer Baloi police station.
