JOHOR BARU: The welfare home that accused a school teacher of slapping and punching a primary school pupil has withdrawn its police report.
The home’s founder Herman Sudil issued a statement saying that the decision came following a meeting with the school representatives including the headmaster and the teacher involved.
“This is after considering what is best for all parties involved.
“The home prioritises the welfare of the children under our care, especially when it comes to their safety and wellbeing.
“Every complaint regarding physical injuries from suspected abuse is taken seriously followed by lodging a police report as it is our standard operating procedure," he said on Friday (Dec 6).
He clarified that the police report was lodged only after questioning the pupil involved along with witnesses to determine whether there was any truth in it.
“After the meeting with the school at the police station on Friday, it was decided that the report be withdrawn.
“The home apologises for any misunderstanding and we thank those who gave their support in this matter,” said Herman.
Earlier, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat confirmed that a report was filed by a welfare home on Thursday (Dec 5), which claimed that the child was slapped and punched by his teacher.
He said that the case was being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Prior to that, a representative of the welfare home took to social media to express his frustration over the incident, where he alleged that a male teacher had slapped and punched the 10-year-old pupil after he cried from falling.
“Is it because the child has no parents that the teacher dares to do this?” the post read.
“If you want to cane the child, by all means, but follow the Education Ministry’s standard operating procedures; not beat the child out of impulse until his face is bruised black and blue,” he said.
