ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government will set up a special task force to strengthen safety measures in schools statewide following a fatal accident involving a primary school pupil in Batu Pahat.
State education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the initiative aims to enhance safety not only for pupils and students but also for all staff and stakeholders in educational institutions.
He added that the task force will ensure strict compliance with safety guidelines and drive continuous improvements to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“Schools must carry out regular risk assessments, record pupil movement patterns to and from school, and continuously improve safety measures to ensure optimal protection levels,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the state assembly meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar on Wednesday (May 6).
Aznan added that schools must also regulate traffic flow during peak arrival and dismissal times by deploying teachers on duty, security guards, or traffic wardens.
He said existing safety infrastructure, including warning signs, speed limit signage, zebra crossings, and safety barriers, must be properly maintained.
The measures, he added, would be reinforced through continuous monitoring by the Johor Education Department and district education offices, in collaboration with relevant agencies.
The announcement comes after the death of eight-year-old Nur Aini Umairah Mohd Fareez, who was killed after being hit by a delivery van in front of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Maimon in Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat, on Tuesday (May 5).
Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani was previously reported as saying the victim suffered severe head and internal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a separate development, Aznan said counselling support will be extended not only to the victim’s family but also to students and teachers affected by the tragedy.
He said the support services will be provided by the Education Department and the Welfare Department (JKM) to help those traumatised by the incident.
“Counselling assistance will be made available, not only for the family but also for students at the school. Some may feel traumatised about going to and from school after what happened,” he said.
Aznan added that the state Education Department will also pay a courtesy visit to the victim’s family to offer assistance and support.
“On behalf of the state government, I will personally visit the family tomorrow to extend condolences and support. The government will also provide some form of assistance to them,” he said.
