Penang Gerakan calls for probe into alleged assault on primary student
GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has called on the Penang Education Department to investigate an alleged assault involving a 9-year-old primary school pupil.
The Penang Gerakan has called for an investigation into an alleged assault on a 9-year-old primary school student in southwest Penang. According to the Gerakan's public complaints bureau chief, Andrew Ooi, the incident involved a pupil who sustained bruising to his left back and arm after being hit by a teacher. Ooi emphasized that while teachers have a responsibility to discipline students, such actions must remain within proper boundaries and should not result in physical injury.
He cautioned against condemning teachers as a whole, acknowledging the challenges they face, including heavy workloads, administrative responsibilities, and classroom management issues. Ooi called on the Education Ministry to address systemic issues, such as bullying, student mental health, and violence, and proposed regular training for teachers on student and classroom management, anger and stress management, conflict management, and child protection. The identities of the pupil, teacher, and school were withheld to protect the child's privacy.
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