GEORGE TOWN: A teacher was transferred to another school following allegations that she assaulted a 12-year-old pupil here.
Penang Education Department director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said the Northeast District Education Office investigated the complaint and took follow-up action based on its findings.
He said the teacher was transferred as a precautionary measure to prevent direct interaction with the Year Six pupil.
"The case has been referred to the police and the department will cooperate with the police," he said on Sunday (Aug 23).
Dziauddin said discussions involving the pupil's family, district education office, school administrators and Parent-Teacher Association were held to address the case and the welfare of those involved.
The pupil was referred to the school's guidance and counselling teacher while the teacher was referred to a district education office counsellor.
He said the department was aware that the family still had concerns over the handling of the case and remained open to discussions with them.
Dziauddin said the department would continue to safeguard the welfare of the pupil and teacher while ensuring that any further action was taken fairly and according to procedure.
The case garnered public attention after the mother sought the guidance of Penang MCA's Public Services and Complaints Bureau, which held a press conference on Saturday.
The 36-year-old clerk alleged that her son was struck three times on the left cheek and once on the left arm with the teacher's shoe during a lesson on June 19.
She claimed the teacher took her son's pencil case and hit his arm with it before slamming a book onto his desk.
"My son admitted he yawned in class. But regardless of what happened, I don't think hitting a pupil with a shoe is the right way to handle the situation," she said.
The mother said her son's cheek and arm became red after the incident, and he became more sensitive and cried occasionally for about two weeks.
She said he was initially reluctant to attend school because he was embarrassed to face his classmates.
The mother said the teacher apologised about three weeks after the incident.
She said she still wanted firmer action and assurances that her son's welfare and emotional well-being would be safeguarded.
She was particularly concerned that the incident could affect his studies for an examination in October.
The mother said she felt the counselling arranged for her son did not adequately address his emotional needs and claimed he was asked to apologise to the teacher during the session.
She has lodged a police report over the incident.
Penang MCA Public Services and Public Complaints Bureau chief Lim Swee Bok said schools must be safe environments where children could learn and grow without fear.
