PETALING JAYA: An English teacher who allegedly molested a 15-year-old male student will not be allowed to teach at the school until investigations are completed, says the Deputy Education Minister.

Appropriate action will be taken against the teacher if the victim’s accusation is proven right, Teo Nie Ching said in a statement Tuesday.

According to news reports, the incident happened in April last year at a secondary school in Johor, where the student was alleged to have been molested twice.

“The teacher is currently on no-pay leave until Aug 9 and it is understood that the victim reported the incident.

“If school staff are suspected of committing a criminal offence, action must be taken to ensure the suspect is moved into group posts (jawatan kumpulan) according to the ministry’s service circular letter No 2, 2009,” she said.

Teo reminded headmasters and principals, district education officers and state education department officials to take such matters seriously.