Malaysia schools need proactive safety policy, not reactive responses, says official

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — The government has been urged to draw up a National School Safety Master Plan as a comprehensive policy to strengthen the protection of students following several incidents of violence in schools that have sparked public concern in recent times.

Federal Territories State Leadership Council Education Bureau chairman Zaleha Dullah said the master plan should encompass physical security, risk management, emergency procedures and a standardised monitoring mechanism for implementation across all schools.

She said the plan could be formulated through a National School Safety Roundtable involving the Ministry of Education (MOE), security agencies, psychologists, academics, parents’ associations, civil society organisations and student representatives.

Expressing sympathy to the victim and the family, she said recent incidents of school violence should serve as a reminder that protection systems and early intervention measures in schools must be strengthened to prevent similar occurrences.

“It is time for a more comprehensive approach to be implemented. We can no longer afford to be reactive by acting only after a tragedy has occurred. The country needs a more proactive policy in addressing issues of violence, bullying, mental health and student safety,” she said in a statement today.

Zaleha proposed increasing the number of guidance and counselling teachers, professional counsellors and educational psychologists to ensure students experiencing emotional distress or displaying behavioural changes could be identified early and receive appropriate assistance.

She also called for regular psychosocial screening, enhanced security controls at school entrances based on risk assessments, as well as closer cooperation with the authorities to strengthen safety measures in schools.

In addition, she proposed strengthening character education, emotional management, conflict resolution and digital literacy, while raising parents’ awareness of the importance of monitoring their children’s use of social media, video games and digital content.

She said schools, parents, communities, the police, psychologists and relevant agencies should work more closely to establish a more comprehensive support system for students.

“Every child sent to school is a responsibility entrusted to the nation. Parents send their children to school with the hope that they will return home with knowledge, not tragedy. Student safety must therefore be the foremost priority in every national education policy,” she added. — Bernama