MOE will implement psychological first aid training for teachers next year to strengthen student mental health support in schools.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will focus on implementing psychological first aid training for teachers next year to strengthen psychological and counselling support in schools.
Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh told the Dewan Rakyat that the training will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
He said the training will be coordinated through the respective State Education Departments and District Education Offices.
The ministry takes student safety and well-being seriously and recognises the vital role of wardens and discipline teachers as frontliners in managing student welfare.
These staff members are crucial in detecting early signs among students at risk of becoming bullies or victims of bullying.
The ministry is also implementing the Minda Sihat initiative to monitor early signs of mental health issues among Standard Five and Six pupils and secondary school students.
This initiative will comprehensively identify data on students’ levels of depression and anxiety for more targeted interventions.
Wong was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi during the parliamentary session.
The ministry is strengthening the implementation of the Public Service Counselling Associates programme which provides teachers with basic psychology and counselling knowledge.
The role of AKRAB has been expanded to educational institutions as a reference psychological support group in schools.
A total of 500 principals and headmasters have been certified as AKRAB members as of 2024.
For 2025, 312 officers from ministry divisions and state education departments are targeted to undergo the training.
The ministry has submitted a proposal paper to implement more comprehensive psychological and counselling training.
This training includes a pre-AKRAB component and competency enhancement for principals, headmasters, wardens, and education department officers.
Wong also mentioned the introduction of the Sistem Keluarga Asrama programme incorporating homeroom, mentor-mentee and house systems.
Teachers play a parental role by providing care and attention to students’ emotional, spiritual, character and academic development through this programme. – Bernama
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