ISUMI, Chiba — A teacher at a municipal junior high school here has apologized after he told students to ignore a boy because he had long hair, education officials said.In mid-September, the teacher, 38, whose name has been withheld, told students not to speak to the first-year student of a Japanese language class he taught until he cut his hair.

The teacher filed an apology during an emergency meeting at the school on Friday. He had reportedly made problematic remarks in the past.

Due to his actions, the teacher has been denied a chance to serve as homeroom teacher. (渡辺創)