Summary

  • The principal of Keat Hwa Independent High School in Kedah, Teresa Chang, apologises amid a police investigation into alleged sexual harassment by a male teacher.

  • The school announces that they have sacked the teacher and would cooperate with police investigations.

  • Blaming it on “administrative oversight”, Chang announces the formation of a “Monitoring and Care Task Force” to oversee reforms and provide teachers and students with channels for appeals and emotional support.

The principal of Keat Hwa Independent High School in Kedah has issued an apology amid a police investigation into alleged sexual harassment by a male teacher.

Teresa Chang, in a video posted to the school’s Facebook page today, expressed deep regret and said she takes responsibility for the incident.

“Today, as the principal, I want to sincerely apologise to the victims of this incident, our alumni, and all parents.

“Over the past few days, we’ve been trying to find out where things went wrong. We have finally identified the issue - an administrative oversight.

“We will work on improving the procedures and plans for handling such incidents, and carry out comprehensive institutional reform,” Chang said.

She also expressed hope that teachers would report any issues promptly to ensure student safety and called on students to speak up bravely, and that the school would fully support them.

At the end of the video, the school’s board chairperson Lee Sih Ren led members of the board and parent-teacher association in a collective bow.

Teacher sacked

In addition to the video, Keat Hwa Independent High School announced that the teacher involved has been sacked and is barred from the campus.

“We are fully cooperating with the police investigation and providing all necessary information - there will be no concealment or protection,” it said in a statement on Facebook today.

It also said the board of directors and parents have established a “Monitoring and Care Task Force” to oversee reforms and provide teachers and students with channels for appeals and emotional support.

“The school failed to protect students from harm in advance, which revealed significant shortcomings in our administrative management and campus safety reporting systems. We take this very seriously and will carry out thorough reflection and reform.

“We are fully aware that a statement alone cannot heal the trauma, but only with the utmost seriousness, honest acknowledgement of our mistakes, and comprehensive reforms can we gradually rebuild public trust in the school.”

It included contact details for the task force: 011-6108 3518 (Ms Su), 011-5115 7469 (Mr Ang), email: khp.wecare@gmail.com.

Previously, a teacher at the school was reportedly detained by the police.

The school was notified by the police on April 19 that a student reported a teacher for sexual harassment.

Kedah Chinese school teacher arrested for alleged sexual harassment

Kedah Chinese school teacher arrested for alleged sexual harassment