KLANG, MALAYSIA: Kicked, slapped and their ears pulled. These were among the punishments allegedly meted out to primary schoolchildren by a teacher at SK Taman Klang Jaya.

Several parents told the New Straits Times yesterday that two police reports had been lodged against the teacher, but the school had failed to act.

In the latest incident last Tuesday, 10-year-old S. Navinraaj, was allegedly slapped, had his ears pulled and kicked in the legs, for failing to line up properly after recess.

His lorry driver father, R. Sathasnam, 52, said his son suffered bruises.

"The doctor who treated him advised me to lodge a police report which I did on Friday."

Sathasnam said his son was now terrified of going to school.

It is alleged that the teacher, in his late 20s, had been cautioned before and had even given a written apology over an incident involving another 10-year-old last year.

P. Vijayarani, 37, said her son was slapped so hard by the teacher that he started bleeding from the mouth. "This happened on the last day of school, on Nov 5, at 11.30am, when the teacher accused my son of running in the classroom."

She said a police report was lodged the same day.

Several parents yesterday cornered Barisan Nasional Kota Raja candidate S. Vigneswaran after he opened the school's annual Parent-Teacher Association meeting to air their grievances.

Vigneswaran said he was outraged by the allegations and vowed to look into them.

"The claims by the parents are very serious and need to be addressed immediately."

He added that he would forward the police reports and complaints to the Education Ministry immediately.

The school's PIBG chairman, Shaidin Maarif, said he would refer the matter to the District Education Department tomorrow.

The school's officials declined to comment.