Gan officially submitted his resignation on April 12. The board of directors accepted his decision during a meeting the following day. According to an official announcement posted on the school’s website. The school stated that the board had “unanimously decided to respect Principal Gan’s resignation” after holding internal discussions.

Foon Yew High School, one of Malaysia’s most prominent Chinese independent institutions, was founded in 1913. It now operates three major campuses located in Stulang Laut, Kulai, and Masai. The resignation marks a significant leadership change for the Kulai branch as the school continues to face scrutiny over how it managed student safety and responded to serious allegations.

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Deepfake Scandal Sparks Schoolwide Scrutiny at Foon Yew High School

A male student at Foon Yew High School’s Kulai campus generated and distributed deepfake pornographic images featuring classmates and teachers. This intensifying the controversy earlier this month. The student allegedly sold these manipulated images online, triggering outrage among students, parents, and the wider public. Victims accused the school of failing to respond swiftly or adequately when they first reported the incidents.

Police later arrested a 16-year-old student suspected of orchestrating the scheme, along with a 19-year-old accomplice. Following mounting pressure, the school confirmed on April 10 that the student involved had been expelled. However, questions remain about how long the school was aware of the misconduct before taking decisive action.

Past Misconduct Allegations Resurface Amid Ongoing Investigation

As the scandal unfolded, a new allegation surfaced from a 2012 alumna who accused a former male teacher at the Kulai campus of inappropriate physical contact during her school years. She shared her story publicly, explaining that it took over a decade of self-reflection and therapy for her to understand the behavior as abuse rather than misguided affection.

She credited Taiwan’s #MeToo movement in 2023 as a turning point that helped her frame the experience as an abuse of power. Her claim has reignited public concern as critics question how the school historically handled misconduct and whether it deliberately concealed past incidents. Historical allegations, combined with the current deepfake case, have prompted renewed calls for institutional reform, stronger safeguarding protocols, and an independent investigation into the school’s handling of misconduct complaints.

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The school acknowledged that it acted too slowly at first and has since instructed staff to treat digital misconduct with greater urgency. Administrators pledged to implement stronger protective measures for students.

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Disciplinary Staff Cleared Amid Internal Investigation

Amid online speculation, the school conducted an internal investigation into accusations that a disciplinary teacher mishandled the case. According to the board, the probe found those allegations to be baseless and distorted. The school reaffirmed that all staff involved in the case followed proper protocols and were not complicit in the delay.

Moving forward, Foon Yew High School plans to expand its digital literacy efforts and implement clearer rules around the ethical use of technology. The administration is also reviewing its disciplinary procedures to ensure timely intervention in similar cases.

The school has committed to providing psychological support for all affected students and their families. Professional counselling will be available through both in-house and external providers. The school said it would ensure strict confidentiality throughout the recovery process and offer legal assistance to those impacted by the image abuse.

Additionally, the board stated that disciplinary staff accused of mishandling the situation were cleared of wrongdoing. It concluded that viral social media allegations had misrepresented their role in the investigation. The internal review found no evidence of negligence or complicity.

Police Investigation Targets Deepfake Creator

Separately, police in Johor have arrested a 16-year-old suspected of using artificial intelligence to create and distribute deepfake pornography. Investigators believe the teenager operated under the alias “Li Xiaobai” and used social media photos to generate explicit images. Multiple victims have come forward.

Authorities are investigating the case under the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. The school is fully cooperating with law enforcement to locate all parties involved.

Foon Yew High School assured parents that it is fully cooperating with authorities. Administrators pledged to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among students and educate them about the ethical use of technology. The school said it would integrate digital literacy programs into its curriculum to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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McMahon has already cut the department’s workforce by 50%, calling the move the first phase in executing Trump’s directive. “The president has made it clear—our job is to eliminate bureaucratic bloat and return control to the states,” she said. In a recent message to department staff, she emphasized that the administration would carry out this mandate swiftly and responsibly.

Trump has long criticized the Education Department as unnecessary federal overreach, suggesting he could gain enough support from Congress—if not the teachers unions—to achieve full closure.

Closure Faces Legal Hurdles but Could Cripple Department Functionally

While the executive order marks a major step toward dismantling the federal agency, formally eliminating the Department of Education requires congressional approval. Trump and McMahon hope to influence lawmakers by making it increasingly difficult for the agency to function. This approach mirrors the administration’s treatment of other federal agencies, such as USAID.

McMahon said she would continue to collaborate with Congress, as she pledged during her Senate confirmation. However, she acknowledged that political opposition—especially from teachers unions and Democratic lawmakers—remains a significant obstacle. No Democrats voted to confirm her to the role.

Despite the uncertainty, Trump remains confident that he can find a path forward. “We’d have to work with the teachers union,” he said, “because they’re the only ones opposed to it.”

Democrats Condemn Trump’s Push to Dismantle Education Department

Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for attempting to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Murray accused both men of “robbing students and families of critical funding” and said their actions will severely harm children and educators nationwide. She pointed to staffing cuts that undermine civil rights enforcement and access to financial aid, warning that families will suffer when protections disappear.

“The effects of Trump and Musk’s slash-and-burn campaign will be felt across our state,” Murray said in a statement. “This issue is personal for me, and for every single family. We cannot relent in this fight.” She emphasized that students with disabilities, low-income communities, and families relying on the department’s support services would bear the brunt of the damage.

Murray and other Democrats are preparing legislative responses to block the order, while attorneys general across the country are turning to the courts.

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States Challenge Trump’s Executive Order in Court

A coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block Trump’s move to eliminate the Department of Education. Their legal challenge argues that the president lacks the authority to shut down an agency created by Congress. The lawsuit insists that Trump’s executive order violates the separation of powers by undermining laws that give the department its responsibilities and allocate federal funding.

“Neither the president nor his agencies can undo acts of Congress,” the lawsuit states. It claims that actions taken to defund or restructure the department without congressional approval are unconstitutional. The plaintiffs specifically cited the March 11 staff cuts as unlawful and warned that more federal protections for students are now at risk.

Funding Cuts Target Equity Programs and Student Protections

Trump’s executive order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to stop funding programs that support diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), or gender identity initiatives. The order follows a broader administration push to defund agencies that support civil rights protections or what Trump calls “left-wing ideology.”

The Department of Education, one of the smallest cabinet agencies, had a $268 billion budget last year. While it doesn’t set school curricula, it enforces federal education law and manages key programs, including special education funding and student loans. It also ensures civil rights compliance in public schools and universities.

The department recently opened investigations into over 50 universities accused of racial exclusion in graduate programs. Critics now fear those investigations—and broader oversight—could stall under the order’s restrictions.

Education Advocates Warn of Harm to Vulnerable Students if Department Closes

Education leaders and advocates are voicing alarm over former President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, warning that dismantling the agency would be devastating for America’s most vulnerable students. National Education Association President Becky Pringle said the closure could increase class sizes, cut job training programs, and make higher education unaffordable for millions of middle-class families.

“If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students,” Pringle stated. She emphasized that students with disabilities could lose access to vital services and that civil rights protections would be weakened. Pringle also accused Trump and Elon Musk of targeting public schools to finance tax cuts for the wealthy.

Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, echoed those concerns. She warned that eliminating federal oversight would disproportionately impact children from historically marginalized communities. “The Department of Education was created to ensure equity,” Rodrigues said. “Removing it would erase decades of progress and leave countless children behind.”

Critics Say Trump’s Plan Threatens National Education Standards

Trump has consistently argued that education policy should return to the states. During a campaign event in Michigan last year, he declared, “Your state is going to control your children’s education. We’re moving it out of Washington immediately.” He suggested that other federal agencies could take over current Education Department responsibilities, such as student loan oversight.

Trump’s vision aligns with his broader efforts to reduce federal influence over state and local affairs. However, critics argue that this plan threatens national education standards and protections. DEI programs, which aim to improve access and opportunity in education, could be eliminated under Trump’s proposed changes.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has confirmed that at least three Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers have been auditing the Education Department, signaling further steps toward dismantling it.

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The withdrawal rate jumped from about 1% to 3% among higher education applicants and reached 6% for vocational students. Reports suggest that universities pressured students—particularly from South Asia—to voluntarily withdraw their applications, with some institutions even rescinding enrolment offers for non-compliant applicants.

Higher education policy expert Andrew Norton highlighted that visa processing times increased significantly. With applications for university study taking around three months and vocational training visas taking twice as long. He noted that these delays, combined with shifting policies. Likely led many students to abandon their plans to study in Australia altogether.

The Impact on Australia’s Education Sector

The sudden increase in visa withdrawals raises concerns about the long-term implications for Australia’s education sector. With international students contributing significantly to university funding and the broader economy, a decline in enrolments could impact financial sustainability and institutional growth.

The Australian government has emphasized that its policies aim to ensure quality education and prevent exploitation of the visa system. However, critics argue that these measures could make Australia a less attractive destination for prospective students, pushing them toward alternative study destinations such as Canada, the UK, or the US.

As visa policies continue to evolve, universities and policymakers must balance maintaining Australia’s reputation as a top education destination with ensuring the integrity of the migration system.

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Students Withdraw Applications to Avoid Visa Rejections

A growing number of international students in Australia are making “tactical” decisions to withdraw their visa applications rather than risk rejections. With visa refusal rates hitting historic highs. Many students fear that a denial could hurt their chances of securing future visas. Andrew Norton explains that students must declare visa rejections in future applications. Prompting many to withdraw their applications to avoid potential denials under stricter requirements.

Universities also have an incentive to reduce visa refusals. Australian immigration policies factor visa rejection rates into institutional risk ratings, affecting a university’s ability to attract foreign students. Despite the increase in student withdrawals. 11 universities saw their risk ratings downgraded in April, adding further pressure on institutions reliant on international enrolments.

Government Policies Drive Changes in Student Housing

The Australian government’s crackdown on international student numbers was partly driven by concerns over housing shortages. However, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows significant progress in student accommodation approvals, suggesting that capacity is expanding to meet demand.

Between 2021-22 and 2023-24, nearly 10,000 student housing units were approved, with annual approvals jumping from fewer than 2,000 in 2021-22 to over 5,000 just two years later. Developers and universities have continued investing in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), with thousands more housing units in the pipeline.

New Developments Aim to Ease Housing Market Pressures

According to the Student Accommodation Council, nearly 36,000 new student rooms are planned, including 11,000 under construction, 15,000 approved for development, and 10,000 awaiting approval. The council argues that expanding PBSA is the best way to ensure students have dedicated housing without straining private rental markets.

Council Executive Director Torie Brown emphasized that private investment is ready to support the expansion. “We don’t need handouts. We are a solution to housing pressures for students and neighbourhoods,” she stated. As policymakers continue to regulate student visa approvals. The accommodation sector remains committed to ensuring that international students have adequate housing options.

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The department confirmed the visa revocation but did not disclose the identity of the student or their university due to legal restrictions.

The State Department announced that it had revoked the visa of a foreign national previously cited for criminal behavior related to Hamas-supporting disruptions.

This decision marks the first instance of visa cancellation under Trump’s policy. Which seeks to remove foreign students engaged in disruptive or unlawful protests. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is now taking steps to deport the individual from the U.S.

Authorities are cracking down on individuals involved in pro-Hamas or anti-Israel demonstrations. This emphasize that students on visas must follow U.S. laws and policies. The administration has indicated that additional visa cancellations could follow as investigations into student protests continue.

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Trump Administration Targets Student Visa Over Pro-Hamas Protests

The State Department reviewed over 100,000 student visas during the Biden administration but did not revoke any. Despite ongoing anti-Israel protests and disruptions on college campuses.

Upon taking office in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating antisemitism and cracking down on foreign students involved in pro-Hamas demonstrations. He has repeatedly called for the cancellation of student visas for those supporting terrorist groups.

“To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you,” Trump stated in a White House fact sheet.

He also vowed to immediately revoke the student visas of individuals deemed Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, arguing that American universities have become hotbeds of radicalism.

With the first visa revocation already confirmed. Federal agencies are expected to continue reviewing cases of student involvement in protests linked to Hamas or other extremist organizations.

U.S. Cracks Down on Student Visas

U.S. college campuses have seen a surge in anti-Israel protests, including vandalism, threats against Jewish students, and violence against law enforcement. The Trump administration has accused the Biden administration of failing to act, allowing a coordinated assault on public order to unfold.

A White House fact sheet criticized the previous administration, citing a December 2024 U.S. House of Representatives Staff Report that condemned the federal government’s failure to protect Jewish Americans, particularly students. The report called this lack of action “astounding.”

In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced an AI-driven initiative called “Catch and Revoke”, designed to identify and cancel visas of foreign students who express support for designated terror groups. Axios reported the initiative on Thursday.

“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security,” Rubio stated on X. “The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law — including international students — face visa denial, revocation, and deportation.”

The administration is expected to accelerate the process of reviewing student visas and removing individuals linked to extremist activity.

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