SK Padang Berampah principal Ag Ku Jainuddin Ag Wahab said early investigation determined the injury was not from bullying or a fight.

“The school takes full responsibility for the incident and has immediately brought the student to the hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement.

He said the now-viral photograph of the girl with bloodstains on her school uniform was taken while she was on her way to the hospital.

Ag Ku Jainuddin said the girl’s parents had been informed of the incident.

“We will continue to emphasise student safety and welfare, and implement measures to ensure such incidents do not recur,” he said.

Earlier, Sipitang police chief Awang Anak Suanda said an investigation was underway after photographs of the girl were shared online.

It was previously alleged that in the 11am incident, a boy had struck the girl with a belt.