KLANG: The 16-year-old student allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with his teacher has been given psychosocial assistance, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the student is also receiving full protection.
“The student has been given psychosocial services and full protection as per ministry guidelines,” she said after meeting Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) 2023 candidates at Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah here yesterday.
Fadhlina was responding to media reports about the student’s alleged romantic relationship with his female mathematics teacher.
The case had sparked a police investigation into allegations of a sexual relationship.
The student had arrived home with red marks on his neck, attributing them to a kiss from his teacher.
Fadhlina said the case is now being investigated by the police and the ministry will take further action once the investigations are completed.
She said if the teacher is found to be at fault, the teacher will not have any dealings or attachments with students.
On Monday, the ministry said action had already been taken against the teacher according to existing guidelines.
She did not, however, specify the nature of the action.
On Sunday, Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said the police were alerted to the case after the student’s mother lodged a police report on Dec 12 last year.
“We have opened investigations under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for physical sexual assault on a child,” he said in a statement.
ACP Wan Kamarul added that the police are in the midst of completing the investigation paper before handing it over to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further action.
On another matter, Fadhlina said the ministry is constantly monitoring the hot weather together with the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the Health Ministry.
She said the ministry has halted all outdoor activities and released new guidelines for schools that include information on activities, attire and overall student health and well-being.
She added that schools should adhere to the guidelines.
On Sunday, health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said schools at locations with Level One hot weather status or temperatures above 35ºC should temporarily suspend outdoor activities.
He also said if the weather status changes to “heatwave” status (above 37ºC), the Education Ministry can take the necessary action, including school closure, as contained in its Guidelines for the Closure of Educational Institutions.
Separately, Fadhlina said this year’s STAM cumulative grade point average has shown an improvement from 3.09 to 3.13.
She added that a lower number indicates a better score.
