After rape case, Sabah's schools told to keep an eye on teachers' activities

School management must constantly monitor the activities of their staff to ensure the safety of students, Sabah Education and Innovation Assistant Minister Jennifer Lasimbang said today. -- NSTP Archive

By Olivia Miwil - August 27, 2019 @ 6:11pm

KOTA KINABALU: School management must constantly monitor the activities of their staff to ensure the safety of students, Sabah Education and Innovation Assistant Minister Jennifer Lasimbang said today.

This comes after the Sessions Court here sentenced a primary school teacher to 80 years in jail and 20 strokes of rotan for raping, molesting and sodomising eight female pupils three years ago.

“I would like to call the school management in the state to check the activities and behaviours of the teachers.

“This is not about blame or finding fault... but we should not wait until all is too late,” she said and extended her sympathy towards the victims.

On Monday, the court found Freddie @ Ampat Unsin, 56, guilty of the 11 molest charges on his pupils, aged between 6 and 10, at the school between January and July 2016.

He was also found guilty of sodomising a 10-year-old pupil at the same school between June and July 2016.

Jennifer said the accused, a disciplinary teacher and a father, had committed a disgusting and irresponsible act.

“It is really sad that this is happening. Teachers are (supposed to) educate the pupils, especially those in the rural areas, with knowledge and support so they can improve their livelihood."

Sabah Education director Dr Mistirine Radin said in cases like this, school principals and headmasters should always prioritise on student's safety.

"If there are cases like sodomy or rape, those who know about it must report the matter to the police immediately.”