Police in the northern Vietnamese province of Bac Giang have summoned an elementary school teacher after he was accused of molesting multiple fifth-grade schoolgirls.

Officers in Viet Yen District confirmed on Monday afternoon that Duong Van M., a teacher at Tien Son Elementary School, is being investigated for allegedly conducting lewd acts against the young students.

M. has been temporarily suspended from his work to assist the investigation.

Police are also coordinating with the school board to collect statements from the victims.

According to Major General To An Xo, director of the provincial police department, legal proceedings against the teacher will be carried out once sufficient evidence is collected.

M.’s report showed that he had some drinks with the family of one of his former students on the morning of March 1, before heading back to work on the same afternoon.

He admitted to teaching the class when he was drunk that day and having such actions as pinching the students’ noses and ears, and patting their shoulders and buttocks during the class session.

Later the same day, some parents demanded an urgent meeting with the school board and local authorities after listening to their children's account of M.’s actions.

One parent stated during the meeting that 15 girls, who are in fifth grade, had been molested by the teacher.

Meanwhile, some other parents told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that it is too early to charge M. with any offense.

He was just being playful with the students, Nguyen Thi Hop, a mother, said, adding that people have been exaggerating the nature of the incident.

“My daughter said she and her friends had their noses and ears pinched by the teacher,” Do Van Hung, another parent, remarked.

“I think this is normal as it shows a close relationship between teachers and students.”

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