PADAWAN: Schools should strengthen awareness and preventive measures to ensure cases of alleged sexual misconduct do not occur.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said school administrators should provide sufficient exposure and guidance to both teachers and students on inappropriate behaviour.
He said both groups needed to understand actions that were wrong and should never take place.
Responding to reporters’ questions on an alleged sexual misconduct case involving a teacher, Sagah said such incidents should not happen.
“But we have seen all kinds of cases, not only in our country but in other countries as well. This is part of human nature.
“We do not want such things to happen, but they do happen. What we can do is make schools stricter,” he said.
He said this after officiating at the STEM Catalysts Grand Celebration 2026 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Padawan here today (Jun 15).
Sagah said school heads should play a greater role in educating teachers and students on conduct that was inappropriate and unacceptable.
“Both groups need to be given sufficient exposure on matters that are wrong and should not happen,” he added.
Earlier, the Sarawak Education Department (JPN) said it viewed seriously an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a teacher that had gone viral on social media.
In a statement, the department said the case was under police investigation and that it was fully cooperating with the authorities.
“The Ministry of Education’s Integrity Unit and Schools Inspectorate and Quality Assurance were also conducting internal investigations into the matter.
“The teacher involved had been temporarily placed at the District Education Office (PPD) pending the completion of investigations,” it said.
JPN Sarawak also stressed that it would not compromise on any form of sexual misconduct and that firm action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
