KLUANG: The Education Ministry aims to roll out the single-session system in all schools nationwide by 2030, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said there are about 10,000 schools in Malaysia – with more than 9,000 having adopted the single-session system.
“This is a good development for our education system but there are still some issues that the ministry needs to address before implementing it in all schools,” she told the media after attending a National Public Administration Institute event here yesterday.
She said they include physical constraints of the schools and other management issues.
“However, the ministry wants schools to use a single–session system so that schools become a conducive place for our children.
“So in the next five years, we will solve issues of dense schools by building new schools as well as upgrading other schools,” she said.
Separately, Fadhlina said not banning electronic cigarettes or vaping does not mean the government was taking the issue lightly or being irresponsible.
Up close: Fadhlina (right) greeting civil servants at the National Public Administration Institute southern region campus in Kluang, Johor. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
“It is a joint commitment, especially involving the Education Ministry and the Health Ministry to tackle the matter. Our views and stand on vaping are very stern,” she added.
She said the Education Ministry has also implemented proactive measures to curb the issue apart from providing awareness and taking disciplinary actions.
“We will continue to work together with other parties including the Health Ministry to ensure that vaping can be completely curbed, and most importantly, that our children be fully aware of the dangers of vaping,” she said.
On Tuesday, the Dewan Rakyat was told that close to 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools were reported last year.
Citing figures from the Students Discipline System, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said that 19,450 were caught vaping last year.
This is almost seven times more than the number of students caught smoking (3,704).
“We do not deny there is an increasing trend in the number of vaping cases at schools.
“For all these cases, the ministry has taken action against students in accordance with the set guidelines,” he said
Wong also said that teachers, school staff, canteen operators and other individuals were prohibited from bringing vapes into schools.
He said the ministry also issued a notice on the ban of vapes in schools in 2015,
“Students who violate this will face disciplinary action, including a suspension of not more than 14 days.”
He said cases of vaping outside school compounds are under the jurisdiction of local authorities and the Health Ministry.
The first phase of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) came into force on Oct 1 last year, where it seeks to cover regulations on registration, sale, packaging, labelling and prohibition of smoking in public places.
The Health Ministry will carry out educational enforcement for regulations concerning the registration and display of smoking products until March 31, while the grace period on packaging and labelling ends on Sept 30.
