Education Ministry hiring new personnel, tightening SOPs
CLOSE to 3,000 bullying cases were recorded in government schools last year, with the bulk coming from secondary schools, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (pic).
She said there were 2,149 cases in secondary schools, while another 740 cases were recorded in primary schools.
She assured that strict and comprehensive action will continue to be taken to curb bullying, ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of students are upheld.
“Curbing bullying is a long-term and continuous effort that also requires commitment at all levels to create a safe and conducive school ecosystem,” she said in a written reply yesterday, adding that safety audits were carried out at 1,758 schools as of Nov 19 last year to ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) at schools were adhered to.
“The SOP on bullying and sexual misconduct was also reviewed alongside reforms to the bullying reporting system to protect the identity of complainants and witnesses,” she said.
Other measures taken include the installation of CCTV and implementation of mental health and psychosocial support programmes.
According to the minister, some RM3mil was spent to install CCTVs at 200 boarding schools, with the project having been completed as of Nov 19, while an additional RM5mil has been allocated for CCTVs at 333 other boarding schools.
Some 600 assistant wardens are also set to be appointed this year in an effort to improve monitoring at boarding schools.
According to the minister, some 523 Guidance and Counselling Teachers were also placed at schools nationwide last year.
“These steps provide additional support to school authorities in the context of managing student safety,” Fadhlina said.
The ministry also works closely with the police, through school liaison officers who visit schools from time-to-time.
This officer will also review complaints made by students.
“We are committed to ensuring every child lives in a school ecosystem that is guaranteed to be safe and harmonious. Allowing them to undergo a quality education,” she said of the Safe Schools concept as she responded to Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar), who asked about efforts to curb bullying.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the menu options under the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) will be expanded from 20 to 33 meal types by the end of the year, following discussions with the Health Ministry.
“The expansion takes into account calorie requirements and balanced diet considerations.
“The initiative also aims to attract students’ interest and preferences through a wider variety of menu options,” she said in a written reply to Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran).
Suhaimi had asked the Education Ministry to state the measures taken to improve the rate for the RMT in Sabah for 2026, given that the cost of raw ingredients in Sabah is higher than in Peninsular Malaysia.
He also asked whether RMT menus in rural schools such as those in Libaran are monitored regularly to ensure they are truly nutritious.
To ensure implementation complies with established guidelines, Fadhlina said teachers on duty conduct daily online monitoring of RMT, which is reviewed weekly by school administrators.
“Through this mechanism, RMT suppliers are constantly reminded to ensure the quality and quantity of food supplied meets standards.
“Monitoring is also carried out periodically by district education offices, state education departments and Education Ministry, including checks at the start of the academic calendar,” she said.
Aside from that, the Health Ministry works with the Education Ministry to monitor hygiene and food preparation methods to ensure compliance to prescribed menus and standards.
She added her ministry had revised the RMT rate beginning November 2022, increasing it from RM2.50 to RM3.50 for schools in Peninsular Malaysia, and from RM3 to RM4 for schools in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
“The increase was aimed at offsetting rising raw material costs and easing the financial burden on suppliers in providing quality and adequate meals,” she said.
As far as Libaran is concerned, there are 26 primary schools with a total enrolment of 10,985 students, of which, 4,326 have been identified as RMT recipients.
“The Education Ministry remains committed to ensuring the quality of food provided to students to safeguard their health and support their learning development,” she said.
