KUALA LUMPUR: The recent stabbing in a Banting school and last year's incident in Bandar Utama are a stark reminder of the need to strengthen violence prevention and early intervention measures in schools, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
Describing the incidents as deeply troubling, the Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said schools must remain safe places where children can learn without fear.
He also pointed out that preventing violence requires more than just disciplinary action.
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"While such cases remain relatively uncommon, they are a reminder that schools must strengthen both prevention and early intervention measures," he said when contacted on Thursday (July 9).
Lee said a comprehensive approach involving schools, parents, communities and the authorities was needed to reduce the risk of violence among students.
Among the measures he proposed was early identification and intervention if students show signs of aggression, emotional distress, bullying, or social isolation.
He also called for an increase in the number of trained counsellors and for students to be given easier access to mental health support.
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"Schools should adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, intimidation and violent behaviour, with prompt investigation and intervention in every reported case," he added.
He said that supervision within school compounds should be strengthened, especially in isolated areas as well as during recess, before school and after dismissal.
"Reasonable security checks should also be carried out where necessary to prevent students from bringing dangerous weapons onto school premises," he said.
Lee said teachers should be trained to recognise warning signs of potential violence and to manage conflicts before they escalate into serious incidents.
He also urged schools to expand programmes on conflict resolution, emotional regulation, empathy and mutual respect so students can learn to resolve disagreements peacefully.
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At the same time, he said collaboration among schools, parents, the police and community organisations should be enhanced to identify and support at-risk students early.
Lee also proposed setting up confidential reporting channels to encourage students to report threats, bullying, or suspicious behaviour without fear of retaliation.
"Every act of school violence is a reminder that prevention must begin long before a weapon is used.
"By fostering a caring environment, strengthening mental health support, promoting positive values and maintaining effective security measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of such tragic incidents and ensure that our schools remain safe havens for every child," he said.
