GEORGE TOWN – The principal and vice-principal of an independent Chinese secondary school in Alor Setar, Kedah, have resigned following the arrest of a male teacher last month for allegedly sexually harassing female students.
The board of governors of SM Keat Hwa (Persendirian) said principal Chang Siew Hong stepped down citing health reasons, while vice-principal Khor Chee Beng resigned effective today, according to media reports.
“Khor will step down from his role as vice-principal starting May 1, 2025, pending the outcome of the probe (into the sexual harassment allegations) or until further notice on alternative arrangements,” the board said in a Mandarin-language statement issued today.
The board also said the Kedah United Chinese School Committees’ Association has formed an independent team to investigate the matter.
On April 21, it was reported that the teacher was arrested after allegations of sexual harassment involving several female students at the school.
Ng Kok Weng, secretary of the school board of governors, said the school received a call from the police on April 19 informing them of the arrest, which was carried out that same day, Bernama reported.
The arrest followed two complaints lodged with the police – one by a current student and another by a former student.
The case at SM Keat Hwa is the latest in a string of sexual misconduct incidents involving schools across the country in recent weeks.
On April 9, Johor police arrested a 16-year-old male student from Foon Yew High School, an independent secondary school in Kulai, Johor, for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create pornographic images of schoolmates and alumni.
A week later, it was reported that a male teacher at a secondary school in Johor Bahru was remanded for allegedly sending lewd content to a female colleague. According to Berita Harian, he had also been seen acting intimately with female students.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has since said the ministry is investigating the case, stressing that it takes such matters seriously and will not compromise on sexual misconduct in schools. – May 1, 2025