STUDENT SAFETY ISSUES DEMAND CROSS-MINISTRY COLLABORATION - EXPERTS

By SAKINI MOHD SAID

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- In a decisive move to tackle rising school violence and student safety concerns, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the Cabinet will soon meet to discuss a comprehensive action plan.

This signals the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges head-on, with a focus on proactive, cross-ministry cooperation.

The announcement, made shortly after the Prime Minister's appearance at the Ministry of Finance’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya, highlights the growing concern over the rising number of violent incidents in schools nationwide.

This move emphasises the need for a collective effort beyond the Ministry of Education (MOE), with multiple ministries collaborating to ensure school safety.

Recent tragedies, such as the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old girl by a male student in Selangor, and the shocking rape case in Melaka involving multiple students, have spurred a wave of concern among parents, teachers, and the public.

These incidents, compounded by the growing influence of social media, have intensified debates about the safety and well-being of students in Malaysian schools.

Anwar said the Cabinet’s upcoming discussion would not only focus on restoring order in schools but also on addressing the harmful impact of social media on student behavior. He described the discussion as an urgent response to the alarming incidents that have recently unfolded in educational institutions.

Education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad, who is also Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute (MINDA) deputy director, explained that the surge in criminal incidents in schools stems from a complex web of factors, including weak leadership, escalating pressures from family and peers, the disruptive influence of social media, and diminished teacher authority. 

He praised the Prime Minister’s decision to take swift action, which marks a significant departure from the traditional reactive approach to such incidents. In the past, interventions were often triggered only after a crisis occurred. 

Anuar stressed that a more preventative approach was now needed, with coordinated efforts from various ministries, particularly the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Health (MOH), alongside the MOE.

“The Cabinet’s involvement in this issue demonstrates a shift toward a more proactive and preventive strategy, showing the government’s commitment to addressing both the symptoms of school violence and its root causes,” Anuar said.

A key aspect of the proposed solutions is restoring teacher authority. Anuar pointed out that many teachers are now reluctant to discipline students for fear of facing legal repercussions. This hesitation has undermined their ability to maintain order and enforce discipline in the classroom.

Anuar also advocated for the continued use of corporal punishment, such as caning, within strict guidelines.

He believes that such measures help to instill moral and character development, enabling students to distinguish between right and wrong and understand the importance of the law in shaping their personal growth.

To support teachers in this role, Anuar called on Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), to address the legal protections available for teachers when carrying out disciplinary actions.

While addressing immediate disciplinary concerns is important, the Malaysian Psychological Association (PSIMA) warns that the root causes of school violence are much deeper.

Its president Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali explained that the rise in aggression and criminal behavior among students is symptomatic of a larger crisis in their psychosocial well-being.

“The increase in violent incidents among students points to underlying psychological and social issues that need to be addressed holistically,” Shazli said.

He highlighted several factors contributing to this crisis, including family pressure, peer influence, and early exposure to violent or inappropriate online content. These issues are often compounded by broader environmental factors, such as the safety of the school environment.

In response to the growing crisis, PSIMA has proposed a multi-faceted strategy to address school violence. This includes the development of safer school policies to combat bullying, sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct.

Shazli also recommended the creation of a national psychological framework for schools, focused on emotional and mental health, as well as the establishment of the Malaysian Psychology Act to ensure that only qualified practitioners provide psychological services.

A successful strategy, Shazli emphasised, would require collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including the MOE, MOH, enforcement agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local communities.

He also stressed the need for continuous monitoring, evidence-based interventions, and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting teenage mental health.

-- BERNAMA