KUALA LUMPUR: It is the Education Ministry's responsibility to ensure schools are a safe place for students, regardless of their gender.
Parent Action Group for Education (Page) president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said it is crucial for students to be treated with respect and dignity.
"Students should always be encouraged to stand up for their rights, not be afraid in doing so, and not allow themselves to be overcome by any form of intimidation.
"In the same sense, parents too, should stand by their children when there appears to be an injustice against them," she told the New Straits Times when contacted recently.
It was reported on Aug 4 that 17-year-old Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam who exposed a teacher for allegedly making a rape joke in school in April, received a letter of demand from the teacher last Wednesday.
The letter demanded Ain Husniza and her father Saiful Nizam Abdul Wahab to apologise and pay RM1 million in compensation in seven days, for allegedly defaming the teacher.
Following this, Noor Azimah said the court may still throw the case out.
"We think the lawsuit is a private action and has nothing to do with the ministry nor the education system. But either way, justice must be seen to be served.
"In this case, Ain has every right to countersue, possibly for outrage of modesty. Let the rule of law take its course," she said.
However, Noor Azimah said, the exit policy for every scandal involving educators in schools needs to be reviewed.
"There is an exit policy which should have been used to terminate the teacher concerned, instead of merely transferring him to another school.
"The current system needs to be reviewed, as it has become a toothless policy by keeping underperforming and problematic teachers in the system.
"This act could potentially cause more untold damage to the education of our children," she said.
Yesterday, it was reported that the police investigation into the report lodged by Ain Husniza and her father against the teacher, had been classified as no further action (NFA) by the deputy public prosecutor.
Sungai Buloh district police chief Superintendent Shafa'aton Abu Bakar said her department received a notice from the deputy public prosecutor regarding the case.
Meanwhile, the Agora Society demanded the NFA status be explained to the public.
"We were appalled by the audacity displayed and greatly disappointed in the teachers' actions as well as the authorities for closing their investigation without a satisfactory explanation.
"17-year-old Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam had lodged a police complaint with her father's support last April.
"Not only did the police not act on the complain then, but they are now taking an active role in summoning Ain unnecessarily.
"We demand the Attorney-General's Chambers be forthcoming about its NFA decision.
"The Education Ministry must also disclose the evidence and outcome of its investigations into the matter and the official reasons for the teacher's transfer," said the society in a statement, today.
The society also called for the school management to be held accountable for actions taken, after Ain Husniza reported the incident to her counsellor.