PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry will implement 11 additional measures to enhance safety and address discipline across its institutions.
In a statement on Wednesday (Oct 22), the ministry announced extra funding and staffing.
It said RM5mil has been approved to install CCTV cameras in selected schools nationwide, adding that this is in addition to the earlier RM3mil allocation for CCTV installations.
The ministry said 10,096 new teachers would be deployed nationwide beginning next month.
These include more than 500 guidance and counselling teachers to strengthen psychosocial support.
It said 600 full time hostel assistant wardens would be appointed from MySTEP personnel.
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This aims to improve hostel safety monitoring and ease existing wardens’ workload.
The ministry then said that school-level collaboration committees would be strengthened with Royal Malaysia Police cooperation.
“The role of school liaison officers will be enhanced. The police will conduct safety monitoring across all MOE institutions,” it added.
Other measures include enhancing the “Smart Support Team” at JPN and PPD levels.
These teams will provide psychosocial assistance during crises.
The ministry said teachers will continue training to improve emergency preparedness in schools, and added that principals, headmasters and discipline committees will have strengthened roles.
It then said existing rules allow caning, suspension and expulsion where appropriate.
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“Principals and headmasters may delegate authority to teachers to discipline students,” it said.
“The ministry is reviewing and revising student discipline regulations,” it added.
It also said that the Student Personality Development System will be reviewed and improved, with institutions urged to prioritise responses to emerging discipline cases.
“Teachers’ and students’ voices must be heard,” the ministry said.
It encouraged dialogues and a “student voice box,” aligned with Unicef recommendations.
The ministry also said the Child Protection Policy will be finalised soon.
It aims to ensure safety and protection of students in schools.
With the Health Ministry, mental health screening will be strengthened from Year One to Form Six.
This includes continuous intervention and psychosocial support for students.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to safer institutions and better discipline.
“All parties are urged to work together to create a safe ecosystem,” it said.
