Education ministry tightens SOP for teachers accused of sexual offences

 Teachers suspected of sexual offences will be immediately transferred out of schools.

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said teachers suspected or charged with sexual offences would be placed with the ministry’s human resource management division. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The education ministry has tightened its SOPs for teachers accused of sexual offences, including having them immediately transferred out of schools and requiring heads of department to lodge police reports as soon as complaints are received.

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said teachers suspected or charged with sexual offences would be placed with the ministry’s human resource management division.

“The measure ensures the teacher is removed entirely from the school environment in the shortest possible time to prevent any risk to students,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.

She was responding to Jamaludin Yahya (PN-Pasir Salak), who asked about improvements to the ministry’s SOP for handling teachers accused of paedophilia, sexual grooming, molestation and other sexual offences in schools.

Fadhlina said the ministry had also streamlined procedures to speed up the removal of teachers from duty while investigations into sexual offence allegations were ongoing.

Under the revised SOP, heads of department are now required to also submit a preliminary report to the ministry’s integrity unit.

The education ministry has also standardised procedures for reporting, investigations, disciplinary action and intervention across schools, district and state education offices, as well as the ministry to ensure such cases are handled in a consistent manner, she said.

Fadhlina said teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct could face disciplinary action, including dismissal. - FMT