MELAKA PROPOSES 10 KEY RESOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE STUDENT DISCIPLINE, CHARACTER

MELAKA, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government has proposed 10 key resolutions to improve student discipline, character, and well-being, including the measured use of caning as a disciplinary and educational tool, with prior parental or guardian consent. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the resolutions were among the significant outcomes summarised from the two-day Special State Government Convention, held in collaboration with Parent-Teacher Associations, the community, and strategic education partners, which concluded today.

"The convention gathered the views of various stakeholders and formulated 10 main resolutions. They will be forwarded to the Ministry of Education for consideration in the ongoing development of national education policy and practice.

bootstrap slideshow

"A key resolution agreed upon is sanctioning parents for their children's truancy. This parental apathy has no place in building student character," he told reporters here today.

Earlier, he officiated the opening of the convention, which was attended by the state executive councillor for Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs, Datuk Rahmad Mariman, and State Education Director, Mahfudzah Mohamed Noor.

Ab Rauf outlined additional resolutions, such as mandating Al-Quran dan Fardu Ain (KAFA) classes for all Muslim primary school pupils.

He also announced a scheme to designate department heads, elected representatives and community leaders as school ‘guardians’ responsible for overseeing student discipline.

The convention also proposed restricting digital applications that negatively influence students, thereby preventing harmful content from acting as a 'second teacher'.

The state government also advocates for a ban on the sale of vape and tobacco products within a one-kilometre radius of all schools.

"Other resolutions involve withdrawing educational aid entitlements for students who are chronically truant or have severe disciplinary issues, and developing an integrated digital system for psychosocial and mental health support.

"The state government also proposes making the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) at school level mandatory, to instil discipline, self-identity, and national spirit among students," he said.

Ab Rauf said the state government also proposes developing new, more comprehensive policies and circulars under the Melaka Student Discipline Plan (PDAM) to align with current needs.

He said the PDAM will serve as the state's strategic document and Standard Operating Procedure, consolidating all student character and discipline initiatives into a single, structured and effective framework.

He concluded that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to position Melaka as a pioneer state and national model, where the development of student character, ethics and discipline is pursued in tandem with academic excellence.

-- BERNAMA