KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will focus on implementing psychological first aid (PFA) training for teachers next year to strengthen psychological and counselling support in schools, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Tuesday (Oct 28).
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the training, to be conducted in collaboration with the Health Ministry, will be coordinated through the respective state Education Departments and district Education Offices.
He said the ministry takes the safety and well-being of students seriously and recognises the vital role of wardens and discipline teachers as the frontliners in managing the welfare of students in hostels, as well as in detecting early signs among those at risk of becoming bullies or victims of bullying.
"The Education Ministry is also implementing the Minda Sihat (Healthy Mind) initiative to monitor early signs of mental health issues among Standard Five and Six pupils, as well as secondary school students.
"Through this initiative, data on students’ levels of depression and anxiety will be comprehensively identified to enable more targeted and effective interventions,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman).
Wong said the Education Ministry is also strengthening the implementation of the public service counselling associates (Akrab) programme, which provides teachers with basic knowledge of psychology and counselling.
"The role of Akrab has also been expanded to educational institutions under the Education Ministry as a reference psychological support group in schools.
"As of 2024, a total of 500 principals and headmasters have been certified as Akrab members, while in 2025, 312 officers from Education Ministry divisions and state education departments are targeted to undergo the training,” he said.
He added that the ministry has also submitted a proposal paper to implement more comprehensive psychological and counselling training, including a pre-Akrab component and competency enhancement for principals, headmasters, wardens, and officers.
Wong said the Sistem Keluarga Asrama (SisKA) programme has been introduced, incorporating the homeroom, mentor-mentee and house systems, where teachers play a parental role by providing care and attention to students’ emotional, spiritual, character and academic development. - Bernama
