‘Sekolah Selamat 2.0’ calls for systemic reforms as experts warn of rising student distress, urging multi-sector collaboration for safer schools.
‘SEKOLAH Selamat 2.0’ brought together leading experts in education, psychology and public health to urgently address the rising tide of emotional distress among Malaysian students at an academic forum held recently at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Kuala Lumpur campus.
The consensus among panellists was clear, mental health is no longer a peripheral issue but a critical survival skill requiring a multi-sectoral and systemic overhaul of the current education ecosystem.
The forum was attended by the current chairman of TAR UMT’s board of governors and alumni Council, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, President of TAR UMT, Prof Dato’ Indera Dr Lee Sze Wei, school counsellors and educators.
The forum began with a compelling keynote address delivered by Dr Lee who stressed that mental health and emotional resilience in schools are ‘very timely and very hot topics’ that concern not just schools, but society as a whole.
Dr Lee also issued a strong call to action, urging all stakeholders, including management, teaching staff, parents, families and the government to collaborate, emphasising that prevention is always better than solving the problem after it escalates.
Associate Professor Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, who is the lead researcher of the ‘Sekolah Selamat 2.0’ collaboration, presented the initiative which seeks to strengthen educational safety through new elements such as psychological safety, mental well-being, digital literacy and systematic, evidence-based intervention.
Dr Monna cited alarming statistics, including a 17.7% rise in recorded physical bullying cases from 2023 to 2024 and a 60% increase in students reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-pandemic stress.
The proposed framework expands the definition of school safety from a physical focus to psychological, social, and emotional dimensions. The proposed phased implementation plan includes a pilot test in 200 schools nationwide and the training of 10,000 teachers starting in 2026.
She also proposed establishing a National Mental Health and School Crisis Intervention Council.
The forum then proceeded with a dynamic panel discussion featuring experts from diverse fields, each providing practical and systemic perspectives.
Dr Nazrul Azizi, current president of Young Minds Malaysia highlighted the emotional pressures faced by the current ‘hyperconnected’ generation of students. He argued that schools may be underestimating the need for emotional literacy and responsible gadget use.
Imatul Nor Hazizan, serving as the psychology officer at the Titiwangsa Health Office, identified the biggest gap in the current school-to-health referral pathway as the lack of a structured system for the early detection of emotional distress, especially since students often exhibit ‘quiet symptoms’ such as withdrawal, sleep deprivation, or somatic complaints (physical pain) rather than obvious behavioural issues.
Dr Chuah Hooi Mei, the Programme Leader of FSSH, TAR UMT focused on the challenges faced by parents as primary caregivers and noted that a major barrier is the lack of a one-stop online platform for them to find reliable help and information.
Principal of SMJK Chong Hwa KL, Tan Siew Choo shared that the biggest operational barriers are the vast amount of administrative tasks and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that overburden teachers, leaving them with insufficient time and knowledge to address students’ mental health.
Wong Su Zane, vice-president of Life Line Association Malaysia, endorsed the multi-level crisis intervention model of Sekolah Selamat 2.0 as realistic.
She urged all adults to ‘stop everything, drop everything, and listen’ when a student is willing to speak, and to change their opening question from “What’s wrong with you?” to the more empathetic “What happened to you?”.
The forum concluded on a constructive note, with shared aspirations that the ‘Sekolah Selamat’ 2.0 proposal will continue to gain traction and contribute to building a school environment where psychological safety and student well-being are prioritised.
