PETALING JAYA: Former servicemen should be stationed as special wardens at schools to instil discipline among students, suggests the National Patriots Association (Patriot).
Patriot vice-president Capt (Rtd) Kung Boon Chin, who floated the proposal, said retired personnel could play a crucial role in shaping a safer school environment, with many veterans able to help maintain order, promote unity, and inculcate good values through regular survelliance, talks and counselling.
“The situation at schools is deteriorating by the day, and we need to act quickly before it spirals out of control. Former servicemen are individuals trained in leadership, discipline and crisis management.
“They will know how to command respect without using fear and they can guide both students and teachers on handling difficult situations.
“They can also advise administrators on how to handle delinquent behaviour more effectively to also allow teachers to focus more on teaching instead of being swamped with dealing with delinquency,” said Kung, who served in the army during the communist insurgency and was the first commanding officer of the military’s combat dog unit.
He added that candidates must have a spotless service record and background of strong and proven leadership, with selected veterans given basic training in child psychology.
“We’re not talking about turning schools into military camps, but to tap into their experience as servicemen to create a secure environment,” Kung told The Star.
Patriot is a non-governmental organisation made up of former servicemen, police and civilians to promote patriotism and foster unity among Malaysians.
Retired police senior assistant commissioner Datuk Mohan Singh Tara Singh said it is time to have a rehabilitation centre for extreme cases of juvenile delinquency in every state.
“Such centres should be only for students with very serious disciplinary problems. The students will receive the same education at the centres but there will be additional programmes to guide them back to the right path and instil good values.
“To ensure only the most serious cases are referred, a high-level board or committee comprising relevant experts should meticulously review each case of indiscipline before deciding to send a student to such centres,” said Mohan, formerly the head of the Selangor police crime prevention and community policing department.
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said having ex-servicemen in schools would bring about positive outcomes.
“It can be implemented as a pilot project by the government. Merely having CCTVs at schools will not solve the issue,” he said.
Another ex-officer who preferred to remain anonymous added: “Although every school may have police liaison officers, they are not assigned to manage the schools on a full-time basis.
“The visits they make to the school every fortnightly or monthly would not really bring much change, especially in addressing problematic students. A dedicated ex-Armed Forces warden will produce better outcomes.”
