Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is in the process of drafting guidelines for online gaming in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital and the Ministry of Education. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address violence among youths, as announced by Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the move follows emerging trends of violence, aggression, and extremism linked to online gaming interactions, which could potentially influence young minds. Dr Johari highlighted the importance of monitoring the online space while also implementing targeted psychosocial approaches. These include controlled emotional expression through the Dengar Rakan Muda initiative, intervention camps with motivational workshops and social simulations, and offering healthy alternatives via volunteer activities. He provided this information in response to a question from Senator Niran Tan Kran during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara.
In related developments, the pilot project for the National Service Training Programme 3.0 (PLKN 3.0) is set to commence in July and August this year at institutions of higher learning. This will involve approximately 6,000 students, including those from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and three polytechnics. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari explained that the phased approach under PLKN 3.0 targets individuals aged 16 to 35, as part of efforts to engage both secondary school and university-level students. The programme is also being implemented at the secondary school level through the Kem Pemimpin Generasi MADANI, involving around 73,000 Form Four students.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is expanding its preschool capacity by adding 350 new classes nationwide this year, a significant increase from the 150 classes added last year. Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh stated that this expansion is part of preparations to make preschool education compulsory for children aged five by 2027. As of February 12, there are 10,514 preschool classes operating in 6,469 institutions, covering 82 percent of all primary schools nationwide. The MOE is also employing the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to expedite the provision of facilities tailored to local needs, in response to increasing student enrolment.