State executive councillor for education Khairudin Abu Hanipah said an initial investigation confirmed that the teacher, whose remarks in a Facebook post sparked outrage online, is employed at the school.

“As an educator, I deeply regret the actions of this individual, who made inappropriate remarks regarding the tragic incident involving the UPSI students,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

The post, made under the name “Khalid Yunus”, claimed the students had “died in disgrace” and were “not among the faithful” because they allegedly owed money to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

Khairudin said the district education office contacted the school’s principal immediately after the post went viral, and a counsellor was sent to request the teacher to remove the content.

A check at 8.10pm yesterday confirmed that the post had been deleted, he said.

The teacher has since apologised publicly, claiming that he suffered from schizophrenia.

The fatal crash occurred early Monday morning at Km53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, when the students’ bus overturned.