Kuala Lampur, Oct. 14 -- Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad has reportedly cautioned schools against concealing cases of bullying and sexual misconduct, stressing that such behaviour should be regarded as criminal offences rather than disciplinary matters.

He has also criticised those who attempted to hide such cases to protect their school's image.

"If we hide everything under the carpet, it will seem as though everything is fine, but in reality, we know these problems exist. They are like a thorn in the flesh or an atomic bomb just waiting to explode," he was reported as saying.

But teachers have long been reminded and warned -by an old Malay 'pantun':

"Siakap senohong, gelama ikan duri,

Bercakap bohong, lama-lama mencur...