PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Education has allocated an additional 5 million ringgit for closed-circuit television camera installation at selected schools nationwide.
This immediate measure aims to enhance safety and reduce the risk of untoward incidents at educational institutions.
The initiative forms part of the ministry’s comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and address student disciplinary issues across all educational institutions under its purview.
This allocation complements the initial 3 million ringgit announced earlier for the same purpose.
Additionally, 10,096 new teachers including more than 500 Guidance and Counselling Teachers will be deployed to schools nationwide beginning November 2025.
These new appointments will help meet current needs and strengthen students’ psychosocial support systems.
For fully residential schools, 600 full-time Hostel Warden Assistants will be appointed from among MySTEP personnel.
These assistants will enhance safety monitoring and ease the workload of existing wardens.
The ministry is also strengthening the School Harmony Committee through cooperation with police forces.
This includes enhancing the role of School Liaison Officers in implementing safety monitoring at all educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the function of the Smart Support Team at state education department and district education office levels will continue to be enhanced.
These teams provide crucial psychosocial support during crisis situations throughout the school system.
Teachers will undergo continuous training to improve their preparedness in handling various school emergencies.
The ministry emphasised that principals, headmasters and school disciplinary committees will continue to be strengthened in handling disciplinary cases.
This includes maintaining authority to cane, suspend or expel students in accordance with existing regulations.
Principals and headmasters may delegate authority to specific teachers to discipline students as needed.
This flexibility comes as student disciplinary regulations undergo revision processes.
The Student Character Development System will be improved to become more proactive in managing disciplinary cases and follow-up actions.
The student voice box initiative will also be expanded to ensure teachers’ and students’ voices are heard.
This expansion aligns with UNICEF’s advocacy on child participation in educational environments.
Authorities are also considering finalisation of the Child Protection Policy to better safeguard students in schools.
The Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to strengthen mental health screening programmes.
These screenings will cover students from Year One through Form Six and include ongoing intervention and psychosocial support.
The ministry calls on all parties including parents, communities and relevant agencies to continue working together.
This collaboration aims to create a safe, healthy and disciplined learning ecosystem at every educational institution. – Bernama
