Kuala lumpur: The Melaka Education Department is collaborating with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to bolster security measures aimed at safeguarding students in school areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman announced several key initiatives, including the strengthening of school safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) and an increase in police patrols in high-risk areas. The department is also focusing on emergency preparedness training, activating teacher safety coordinator teams, and enhancing incident recording and reporting systems.

Efforts are underway to improve students' safety literacy and to boost community involvement to maintain a secure and conducive school environment. Schools have been advised to remain vigilant about on-premise safety by conducting the School Safety Rating (SPKS) assessment regularly each year. These measures were detailed during the Melaka State Assembly sitting at the Seri Negeri Complex in response to a question from Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof (PN-Sungai Udang) regarding the safety measures in Melaka schools.

Rahmad highlighted that the influence of social media and the internet accessibility are factors contributing to crime cases involving schoolchildren. To mitigate these issues, the Ministry of Education (MOE) enforces a policy that prohibits students from bringing mobile phones to school. This policy aims to reduce risks associated with device misuse, such as unauthorized recordings, exposure to inappropriate content, and unhealthy social media interactions during school hours.

Additionally, some schools have implemented the use of metal detectors at entrances to prevent students from secretly bringing mobile phones onto school premises. The use of metal detectors helps teachers efficiently and accurately identify mobile phones without resorting to physical checks, which may cause discomfort to students.