KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Education Department and school authorities are responsible for keeping the state's education centres free of negative activities and crime, says the Chief Minister.
Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said he was confident that these authorities were playing their part in keeping crime and social ills at bay, and would not hide such incidents from law enforcement agencies.
Hajiji said he was certain school authorities did not choose to cover up any incidents, and even if it did happen, it was likely to be an isolated case.
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He had been asked about claims by police that some schools and headmasters chose to keep such incidents a secret instead of making reports.
Recently, Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Kasim Muda said several criminal cases involving students had been swept under the rug.
His comments came in the wake of a suspected gang rape case involving a 15-year-old student in the city.
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Earlier on Thursday (Aug 29), Hajiji closed the Malaysia Headmasters Association Sabah Convention here.
He urged the public to refrain from having negative perceptions of schools and teachers.
During the event, he said headmasters played important roles in educating students and ensuring the success of the digital transformation of education.
He said headmasters and teachers were the key to bringing quality education to students, and creating the human capital needed for a nation to develop.
Hajiji advised educators to always get their priorities right and focus on giving their students the best education.
