PN MPs push for stricter checks, special cert for school personnel

Perikatan Nasional lawmakers have urged stricter vetting, psychological screening, and enhanced training for all school personnel, amid growing concern over sexual and violent crimes involving students on school premises.

Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah claimed that the public perceived the government to be taking a “business as usual” stance in facing the issue, which has garnered widespread public alarm.

As such, he called on the government to take immediate and drastic action to ensure that student safety is made an absolute priority.

“Special training for teachers, wardens, and prefects must be strengthened, while recruitment requirements should be tightened through background screening and psychological assessments,” he told a press conference in Parliament today.

Reading out a statement backed by 17 other opposition parliamentarians, Saifuddin added that all individuals working in schools should also be made to hold a special certification verifying their suitability to work with students.

“If the government must create such a certification, then do it. Certain more advanced nations have already implemented this measure… we can figure out the details of how it will be implemented later,” the former foreign minister said.

He also called for the establishment of a student safety and well-being committee in every school, with the team proposed to comprise teachers, parents, alumni, community leaders, relevant agencies, civil society organisations, and the police to monitor student safety.

“As MPs, we stand ready to extend our cooperation to the Education Ministry to make schools safer places for our children,” he noted.

Earlier, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek affirmed that her ministry is committed to continuing to strengthen and enhance safety and well-being in schools.

Such efforts, she told the Dewan Rakyat, include immediate reforms to existing mechanisms, with the matter to be an intensive and continuous effort which will face regular evaluations.

Fadhlina detailed that the reform focuses on five areas: mental health, reproductive and social health education, a strict ban on prohibited or dangerous substances, a child protection policy, as well as teacher care and support.

Disheartened teachers

Also present at the press conference today was Temerloh MP Salamiah Nor, who cited a letter she received from a teacher in her constituency claiming that educators have “lost the spirit to teach”.

“They said all they can do now is help students score As. Anything beyond that is off limits… they can’t correct, let alone discipline or cane (students) as a form of lessons. They are deeply disheartened,” the PAS lawmaker said.

“The ban on caning or even measured punishment has affected students’ character development. If such measures are carried out with wisdom and compassion, they should be fine.

“Now, teachers can’t even correct students in class (as) they have no authority. Parents take advantage of this, (but) shouldn’t forget that when they defend their children every time they’re reprimanded, teachers will eventually stop caring,” she cautioned.

As such, she suggested that the Education Ministry review and amend relevant regulations governing teachers’ disciplinary powers.

Reporting by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain, Zarrah Morden, Haspaizi Zain

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