Pupils turned up as usual at a school here today and found the main gate locked and no security guard on duty.

It was learnt that the security guards of the Chinese school did not turn up because they were upset allegedly over not having been paid as promised by security company.

Parents called the school administration and Parent-Teacher Association officials at 6.15am and they rushed to the school.

"The security guard on the night shift did not turn up, and this resulted in the gate remaining locked in the morning," said a school administration official.

He said a male teacher climbed over the fence to retrieve the keys from the security guard post.

"At about 7am, the pupils were able to enter the school," he said, adding that a week ago, the security guards had also gone on strike but this was the first time the gate was left locked.

He said the security company managing the guards should settle the matter quickly for he feared such incidents could recur and affect the running of the school.

"We have met with the employer of the security guards, but the reason given is unacceptable. So, I asked the company to resolve the matter quickly, and not to involve the pupils and the school," he said.

He said the security company promised to pay the guards and solve the matter immediately.