Ensure enough supervisors are at hand for outdoor activities
PETALING JAYA: There should be tighter oversight and strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing off-campus activities following the recent tragic deaths of two trainee teachers.
Former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that, while SOPs for outdoor activities may already be in place, the key issue is whether they were properly enforced.
“We must re-examine how the off-campus programme was carried out and who approved it,” he said when contacted yesterday.
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He also questioned whether the required number of supervising lecturers were present throughout the activity, in accordance with the SOPs.
“We also need to examine the details and scrutinise how many trainee teachers accompanied the trip, and whether the ratio of supervisors to students met the prescribed safety requirements.”
He explained that having a sufficient number of supervisors is crucial, particularly for activities held in higher-risk environments such as waterfalls, beaches, or other outdoor recreational sites, where conditions can change rapidly.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the tragedy cannot be dismissed as a mere accident.
“When multiple trainees capsize in open water, it raises real questions about safety protocols and supervision.
“There must be full transparency on what failed.”
She said that those responsible for the students have a duty of care, both in protecting lives and in how they respond when things go wrong.
A teacher from Perak, who wished to remain anonymous, said that teachers nowadays may lack the physical experience to provide proper supervision, as they place more emphasis on IT and on-campus activities rather than outdoor activities.
“Many teachers today are more focused on IT and, as a result, they rarely take part in physically demanding activities,” the teacher with 25 years of teaching experience said.
As such, he said it is important for institutions to revert to traditional off-campus programmes such as camping, outdoor learning and team-building exercises.
He added that such outdoor activities help build physical resilience, teamwork and discipline, which are difficult to develop in a classroom.
“Health and safety are vital in whatever activities are organised. There must be proper planning, supervision and risk management,” he added.
A teacher from the Institute of Teacher Education Sultan Abdul Halim Campus in Kedah said that teachers accompanying and supervising outdoor programmes must also actively participate in the activities.
“For example, when students take part in activities like kayaking, teachers should not just sit back or avoid involvement.”
Although not all teachers are co-curricular specialists, and some do not even know how to swim, he said their presence and participation are crucial during outdoor programmes.
“The most important thing is to follow SOP, ensure safety and reduce risks in all activities.”
