An elementary school teacher was detained pending investigations Monday for cutting a lock from a female student’s hair for not wearing a veil.

The teacher, Ali Khedr, cut a lock of fifth grade student Noura Ismail’s hair Sunday for not wearing veil during religion class, according to the National Council for Women (NCW).

The issue was first raised in local media reports, but the council’s branch in Fayoum, where the school is located, confirmed the incident, said the council’s media officer Mohamed Abdel Salam.

“The teacher was referred to general prosecution and was imprisoned for four days pending investigations,” Abdel Salam added.

The NCW said the incident represents a “serious violation to human rights and child rights and it also defies all educational ethics of dealing with young students”, state media reported.

The council also called for investigations to be conducted in the case and the teacher to be penalised.

The governmental body referred to Article 80 of the constitution that states: “The state provides child-care and protection from all forms of violence, abuse, ill treatment.”