Firm disciplinary action will be taken against a teacher who allegedly tied bells to his students and likened them to cows, said Education Minister II Idris Jusoh.

“I would like to urge teachers to be more careful and rational when taking disciplinary action against students,” he said in a brief statement on Facebook today.

Utusan Malaysia ’s weekend edition reported today that the English language teacher at SJK (C) Khai Meng, Sungkai, had attached bells to the buttons of two students for not submitting their homework.

The two students were also reportedly caned twice and had been scolded with “inappropriate words” - in addition to wearing the bells from 9am until 1.30pm - and subject to ridicule from other students.

This angered the students’ parents, who then lodged police reports about the incident.

Another two students escaped similar punishments due to health issues.

“The Batang Padang District Education Office’s (PPD) investigation has found that the punishment was meant to give a warning to students to finish their homework.

“However, the punishment has been deemed unsuitable and the Batang Padang PPD will ask SJKC Khai Meng to issue an administrative warning letter to the teacher,” state education director Muhamat Roli Hassan was quoted as saying.

He also denied that the punishment was racially motivated.

Meanwhile, Berita Minggu quoted Tapah police chief Som Sak Din Keliaw as saying that the teacher has admitted to carrying out the punishment, but denied claims that he had ordered the students to eat grass.