Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will assess incidents involving student safety in schools individually, as each situation is different, said its minister Fadhlina Sidek. She highlighted the ministry's initiative to strengthen audits and monitoring of school safety, which includes the establishment of a special committee comprising various agencies and organizations to ensure all aspects of safety are thoroughly addressed, creating a safe school ecosystem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina emphasized the importance of assessing each case separately due to the involvement of multiple factors, including safety issues and the psycho-emotional and mental state of the children. The ministry has engaged the expertise of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure that building, drainage, and fire safety are adequately addressed, alongside training to enhance safety coordination at the school level.
During her address at the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, she responded to a question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) regarding the MOE's measures to safeguard student safety in schools. Fadhlina stated that student safety and protection remain a priority for the ministry, guided by five key focus areas: prevention, monitoring, reporting, intervention, and enforcement. These efforts are supported by strategic collaboration among various ministries and agencies.
The Safe School Management Guidelines and School Student Protection Policy, launched on June 11, now serve as the main reference for educational institutions to strengthen students' physical, social, and emotional safety. In efforts to combat bullying, the MOE is updating the guidelines for handling cases in line with the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, effective from June 16.
Furthermore, the ministry plans to expand CCTV installation to 333 schools this year, up from 200 schools in 2025, and appoint 300 hostel wardens from April 1 to strengthen night-time monitoring of students. In response to a question from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) regarding parents' concerns over bullying, Fadhlina assured that each case would be comprehensively assessed with support from certified counselors and the involvement of the Parent-Teacher Association, community initiatives, and relevant agencies, tailored to students' needs.