PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry has initiated an internal probe following the circulation of an audio clip in which a teacher allegedly told a secondary school student to "go back to China" for struggling with the Malay language.
The ministry condemned any form of racial remarks or behaviour within the educational sector.
"A comprehensive internal investigation is currently in progress regarding the incident," a spokesperson for the ministry told Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
The ministry also mentioned that a meeting with the student’s parents has been scheduled, and psychosocial support services are being provided to assist them.
It reiterated that all government educational institutions must foster an environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful of the diverse racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds of students.
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"The ministry offers various specialised training programs aimed at improving the professionalism, competency, and ethics of educators, including pedagogical training focused on classroom communication," the statement added.
In the viral audio, the teacher was allegedly asked over the phone by a man claiming to be the student's relative to confirm whether she had told the student to "go back to China." The teacher is heard admitting to making the remark.
The teacher also reportedly called the student “stupid” and instructed the student to "sit near the rubbish bin."
When confronted, the teacher defended her actions, stating that this was not the first time she had addressed a student in such a manner and that no complaints had been made against her previously.
She also reportedly said it was a major issue if the student's parents could not speak Malay.
When the man refused to reveal his identity, the teacher supposedly threatened to report him for invasion of privacy, accusing him of disturbing her during her medical leave. She further claimed that her husband, who is a police officer, could trace the man using his phone number.
