YOURSAY | ‘All options should be looked into to solve the problem.’

Psychologist urges MOE to form mental health plan in schools

OrangeImpala4453: The recent call by psychologists for the Education Ministry to formulate a comprehensive mental health plan for schools deserves serious consideration. 

The growing incidence of stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues among students underscores the urgency of strengthening mental and emotional support mechanisms within our education system.  

However, any meaningful mental health framework must be grounded in the broader context of values-based education, where empathy, understanding, respect, and civic responsibility are nurtured from an early age. 

In this regard, it is timely to reintroduce the Civics and Tatarakyat subjects as a core component of the national curriculum for all students, irrespective of religious or ethnic background.  

The current practice of dividing students between Moral Education and Islamic Studies, while historically intended to respect religious diversity, which has benefits too, has also created separate value-learning environments. 

This approach risks reinforcing social divides and may result in inconsistent moral guidance, as different teachers often interpret and emphasise values differently. 

A unified Civics and Tatarakyat curriculum, taught by one common teacher to all students, would help cultivate shared national values, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging among young Malaysians.

It would also reinforce the principles of inclusivity and unity that underpin our education system and our nation’s long-term social cohesion. 

In implementing such a programme, the Education Ministry must engage qualified professionals, including psychologists and behavioural experts, to design and deliver appropriate modules. 

Mental health and emotional well-being require a level of expertise beyond conventional classroom instruction.

Empowering teachers through collaboration with mental health professionals would ensure that lessons are delivered with both psychological insight and pedagogical effectiveness.  

This holistic approach is essential for nurturing both mental wellness and moral strength in our future citizens.

Dr Suresh Kumar: I can’t agree more with associate professor of psychology Monna Ong. 

As a psychologist, she has stated the obvious. 

However, before we implement her ideas, school teachers must be trained to identify pupils who need help. 

In the 60s, 70s, and even 80s, we had exceptional, passionate, and dedicated teachers who took great pride in their profession; they were not just teachers but doubled up as guides, mentors and counsellors as well. 

They went above and beyond the call of duty regardless of race, religion, or creed. 

There was no need for the presence of psychologists in schools; all we had were strict disciplinary masters, like Mr Shan in my school. 

The moment he raises his voice, we will tremble. Do we have teachers of such calibre and dedication today? Zilch.

Today, many choose the teaching profession as their second or third choice because they have failed to be employed elsewhere, and this is a fact that I should know. 

Of course, things are different today with the level of stress parents go through to put food on the table and the negative influences social media has on kids. 

We have to take a different approach to navigating the vagaries of life, and to do that, we must not only have well-trained teachers but also dedicated teachers to make it work.

We are a nation that thrives on fancy slogans but is devoid of substance. 

Not that we are lacking experts or qualified individuals to move the country forward, it's the toxic politics of race and religion that are killing this beautiful country, because some people get easily offended by trivial things.

We do not need external enemies or invaders to destroy us; we are doing well within. What a sad indictment!

Mazhilamani: Stress is everywhere, in homes, workplaces, highways, schools, and in competitive sports.

When a person can explode is anybody’s guess.  

I think that it is about time big corporations and schools employ full-time psychologists. 

Companies are burdened by high figures of absentism with staff reporting sick, and nobody questions the psychological aspects, except to treat the physical discomforts.

Students are no different. Our schooling system is very result-oriented. 

Parents are also cruelly demanding. It is not rare for students to attend school and tuition five days a week, and to also find time to complete the homework and assignments.

My son is a training consultant, and he tells me that some participants from the financial sector complain about working fourteen hours every day to complete their daily tasks. 

They hardly experience quality of life. They are a spent force before the weekend. With that comes neglect for the family and related consequences. 

They trudge along just to provide a good living standard for the family, at the risk of their physical and mental health. Ong must be congratulated for her observation.

RR: After the events of rape and murder in schools amongst some teenage students, there will be the blame game and finger-pointing.

Today, this menace is emerging because parents do not spend quality time with their children, especially if both parents are working.

Some parents are so happy that their two-year-old can handle the phone!! As if they are going to excel in AI and form startup companies.

Children should be limited to one hour on the phone. Parents should check their homework and give the right advice when mixing with other children. 

Love or Crush is not for teenagers. Only focus on study and games in your teenage years.

The Education Ministry should make it compulsory for character and human values via moral education classes at the primary school level itself.

There must be strict discipline in schools and outside too. No use in talking of setting up commissions and task forces. This is not rocket science.

Koel: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri does not want to play the blame game? 

Why? Because it will highlight exactly how weak her ministry has been in addressing rising social problems, especially among youths.

The minister is voted in to work for the people, not to lecture them. How about addressing the extreme misogyny and bullying rampant among youths?

What work is the ministry initiating to work with educational institutions? What best practices from other countries are they drawing on from around the world?

Also, what guidelines are they urging the government departments, civil service, and Parliament to set better examples for the youths of Malaysia?  

Instead of lecturing the public, let’s hear something useful, urgent, and relevant being initiated by your ministry, Nancy Shukri. That is your job.

 Goks: Secondary schools have the Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS) framework, but the people who guide and train these kids may not be qualified, nor is there proper coaching for PRS members to work with fellow students.

Instead of re-inventing the wheel, for those schools with PRS, find the shortfall and see how we can further develop PRS kids, prefects and buddies to identify children that need help.  

We need to review what we have and take action on those for now, then fine-tune as we go.

Milshah: Good idea from the psychologist. The Education Ministry should look into it. All options should be looked into to solve the problem.

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