Education director-general Azam Ahmad said the decision was made by the school’s disciplinary board, which met today, Berita Harian reported.

The education ministry came under fire after announcing that the four boys would be allowed to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next month.

In a statement, Azam stressed that granting the suspects permission to sit for the SPM exam does not mean they will escape punishment for their actions.

“It does not interfere with the ongoing legal process,” he said.

“The suspects will not sit for the SPM examination at school; instead, they will do so at a detention centre or another separate location.”

The offence was allegedly committed against the 15-year-old victim at about 2.50pm on Oct 2, while she was on her way to her classroom to retrieve something she had left behind.

Two of the suspects reportedly watched and recorded the incident on their mobile phones, and the videos were later circulated online.

The four boys have been remanded until Oct 16 to assist investigations under Section 375B of the Penal Code for gang rape.