Govt mulling police presence at schools to address safety concerns

Putrajaya is mulling establishing police presence at schools in response to a surge of violent incidents in schools nationwide, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting today, Fahmi said the cabinet had discussed the matter from an aspect that considered the “omnipresent” nature of the police force.

“This move is aimed at ensuring that police presence in schools serves as a signal that our schools are safe places,” he added, noting that a full statement on the matter will be released by the Home Ministry later.

Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, further said the Education Ministry will issue guidelines to schools on conducting weekly spot checks that allow such measures to take place “at any time during the week”.

“The cabinet discussed the need for a comprehensive study on issues faced by schools. This will be undertaken by a special task force, which will prepare a report as soon as possible to be presented to the cabinet for decisions on further action,” he added.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will today explain how it plans to tackle violence in schools, amid growing concern over sexual and violent crimes involving students on school premises.

The prime minister previously said he would instruct ministers to consider stricter measures on social media use, asserting that the unchecked use of social media was the driving force behind criminal incidents in schools.

On Oct 14, the police arrested a 14-year-old student at a school in Bandar Utama in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old schoolmate.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari today said the state government will expedite several safety measures following the incident, including setting up student registration at school entrances, implementing the use of metal detectors, installing CCTVs, and adopting a smart notification system connecting parents and teachers.

The incident came on the heels of a group of Form Four students gang-raping a Form Three student at a school in Malacca.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek yesterday affirmed that her ministry is implementing several immediate reform measures focused 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.

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