Kuala lumpur: The Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) supports the Ministry of Education's (MOE) efforts to strengthen pupil safety and welfare through the School Pupil Protection Policy, but calls for broader engagement with educators and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, GPMS president Fazreen Fauzi emphasized the importance of briefings, engagement sessions, and roundtables with teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and other stakeholders. These measures are crucial to ensure the policy's objectives, scope, and procedures are clearly understood while considering the realities on the ground.

In a statement today, Fauzi welcomed the MOE's plan to hold a special session with stakeholders to address concerns over the policy's implementation. However, he urged that the dialogue should also include educators to facilitate a comprehensive understanding and execution of the policy.

"GPMS calls on the MOE to open a more comprehensive dialogue platform with educators to ensure this policy can be implemented clearly, fairly, and with consideration for school realities. Protecting pupils is a trust, but protecting teachers is also a responsibility," he stated.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had previously announced that the MOE would hold a special session with stakeholders to address and review concerns over the policy. Introduced through a Professional Circular (SPI) dated July 1, the policy requires school personnel and external parties dealing with schools to sign a Compliance Letter as a commitment to pupil safety.

The circular outlines five key areas of educational reform: mental health; reproductive and social health education; child sexual violence and illicit substance prevention; pupil protection policies; teacher welfare; and the pupil voice.