Kuala kangsar: A discipline teacher is believed to have been injured after allegedly being punched by a group of students at a secondary school in Kuala Kangsar yesterday. The incident, which took place at about 11.30 am, was believed to have been triggered by dissatisfaction after the male teacher cut the hair of one of the students involved.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hanipah said he is still waiting for a detailed report from the Perak Education Department (JPN) on the matter. 'I have yet to receive verified information and am still waiting for a report from JPN regarding the incident. Further checks are being carried out to determine the authenticity of the incident before any official statement is issued. If it is true, such an act is inappropriate as teachers are murabbi who educate and nurture students,' he said.

He made these comments when met by reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (KEMAS) kindergarten Gen Alpha Hajj Simulation programme, which was also attended by Perak KEMAS director Darmawati Dahalan at Masjid Sultan Yusuff Izzudin Shah. Khairuddin mentioned that about 400 pupils from 30 Kemas kindergartens in the Perak Tengah district participated in the one-day hajj simulation.

He further explained that the programme, organised in collaboration with local travel agency Andalusia Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, aims to provide early exposure to children on the basics of performing the haj pilgrimage, which is the fifth pillar of Islam. 'It is also one of the methods to educate children on the obligation to perform haj for Muslims who are able. It can serve as a starting point for these children, perhaps to encourage them to save and aspire to perform haj when they are capable,' he added.