Tan admitted that his comments on the matter were insensitive.

“I humbly apologise for the insensitivity,” he said in a text to FMT.

Tan went on to say that the point he was trying to make was that the majority of the nation’s 450,000 teachers were a dedicated and caring lot.

“Unfortunately, that did not come across clearly.”

In an interview with Astro Awani yesterday, Tan had raised questions on whether sexual harassment, rape and abuse of power in schools were happening in schools nationwide.

“How is it a widespread problem? Where are the statistics, where is the data? Who are they talking about?” he asked, adding that he wanted “facts”.

This led to brickbats, with a coalition of women’s groups slamming Tan for failing to acknowledge the severity of the issue by criticising the Nationwide School Walkout Day, a protest against sexual harassment, rape and abuse in schools.

They also chided Tan for questioning if such incidences were actually a widespread issue as  Tan had cited a lack of reports and data on them.

This, they said, was proof that there is a lack of understanding about the issue of sexual harassment within the teaching profession.

Separately, NUTP president Aminuddin Awang said while they did not agree with the school walkout day movement, it did not mean they condoned any form of sexual harassment.

“If such incidents occur, the victims should take them to court.”

He went on to say that with 450,000 teachers nationwide, it was unfair to make general accusations when it came to such matters.