Penang Malay Association calls for a special commission to study and address bullying and crime in schools, citing impact on human capital development.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) has called on the Ministry of Education to establish a Special National Education Commission.
The proposed commission would study and recommend measures to address bullying and crime among students on school premises.
Pemenang president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff said the ministry needs to take the issue of student violence seriously.
He stated that incidents occur in schools, which should be the safest place for children to learn.
“The Ministry of Education needs to take seriously the issue of students who become violent and bully other students to the point of injury and death,” he said in a statement.
Mohd Yussof emphasised that a commission comprising education experts and professionals is needed for a comprehensive study.
He warned that the problem will impact the country’s human capital development in future years.
Pemenang and the Penang Malay Clubs Association (IKATAN) formulated two main proposals at a convention last month.
The proposals focus on child safety in schools and the perceived lack of appreciation for Rukun Negara principles among students.
Mohd Yussof also asked the ministry to review Civics lessons with better pedagogical methods.
He stressed that teaching Rukun Negara effectively is crucial as its principles are the spirit of racial unity.
