IPOH, Feb 14 — A male teacher who allegedly hurt four students of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) in Sitiawan near here could be undergoing stress and mental problems.

Perak State Education Department Deputy Director Mohd Idris Ramli said based on the school’s report, the department was convinced that the teacher had these problems since his actions were not normal compared to the usual punishment of caning.

“We will study and investigate the matter and get the involvement of all parties who know what really happened, including all the students concerned. We sent two officers to the school this morning,” he said when contacted here today.

He said the teacher had been asked to rest for a week until Feb 19 and instructed to undergo a health test at the Manjung Hospital.

After that, the teacher, who taught English Language and Computer Studies, would be temporarily placed at the Manjung District Education Office while awaiting the outcome of the investigations, he said.

Mohd Idris said the teacher had been involved in an almost-similar incident in the same school on Jan 22 but it was amicably resolved between the student’s family, school and the teacher.

Meanwhile, in Seri Manjung, Manjung District Police Chief ACP Jaafar Baba said four police reports had been made about the incident, which occurred at 5.30pm on Feb 12, from the affected students including one in Form Two, while the other three were in Form One.

“Investigations show that the incident involving the Form One boy was about him not bringing an exercise book to school, while the one involving the other students could be accidental, over a water bottle,” he told reporters at the Manjung District Police Headquarters here.

He said the teacher had been called up and police had recorded his statement yesterday for further investigations before an investigation paper was submitted to the Public Prosecutor for further action.

“We also recorded statements from students concerned and the 34-year-old teacher... we will be sending the education office our report and we believe the office has taken administrative action on the teacher who has been with the school for three years,” he said.

It was reported today that the teacher had over-reacted when he hit the four students on Feb 12.

One boy was kicked in the face while he was in the computer laboratory, resulting in bleeding from the chin, while a female student was punched five times in the face, causing her spectacles to break.

The teacher also allegedly victimised two other students on the same day. — Bernama