KUALA LUMPUR: Schools should be a safe haven and preventive measures must be taken to ensure there are no untoward incidents, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said recent incidents involving students in schools have raised serious concern among parents, educators and the public.
"Schools are meant to be places where children can learn, grow and thrive in a safe and protected environment.
"Any incident that threatens the safety and well-being of students must therefore be treated with utmost seriousness and urgency," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 7).
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Lee commended the Education Ministry's move to finalise new guidelines aimed at strengthening safety in schools nationwide, calling it timely.
"The initiative, developed with input from the Education Institution Safety Reform Committee, reflects the growing awareness that stronger and more comprehensive safety measures are urgently needed following a series of unfortunate accidents involving students.
"The recent case involving a school van which knocked down a primary pupil at the school gate is deeply disturbing and should serve as a wake-up call to all parties.
"Such incidents should never happen within school compounds or surrounding areas where children are present.
"It is therefore high time for the Education Ministry to undertake a comprehensive review of all existing school safety guidelines, protocols and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that similar tragedies do not recur," he said.
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He said while guidelines are important, what is equally crucial is the need to cultivate a strong culture of safety in every school.
"There is an urgent need to introduce and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes in schools nationwide.
"Schools are also workplaces and must comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
"Every school should establish an occupational safety and health committee comprising administrators, teachers, staff and if needed, parents.
"These committees can play an important role in identifying safety hazards, conducting regular risk assessments, monitoring compliance and recommending improvements to enhance safety standards within school premises," he said.
Lee said there are multiple areas which require immediate attention.
ALSO READ: Driver in Batu Pahat crash that killed eight-year-old remanded for three days
"Traffic management within school compounds, pedestrian safety at school gates, emergency response procedures, fire safety, building maintenance, electrical safety, sports and playground safety, laboratory safety, food hygiene and mental health support systems for students and teachers are crucial.
"Regular safety audits should also be conducted at all schools, while safety awareness and preparedness programmes must become an integral part of school culture.
"Teachers, students, bus and van operators, canteen workers and contractors entering school premises should all be educated and trained on safety responsibilities and procedures," he said.
Lee said the safety of children must never be compromised.
"Preventive action is always better than dealing with tragedies after they occur.
"Every child has the right to study in a safe environment and every parent has the right to send their children to school with peace of mind.
"We need to work together as the government, schools, parents, communities, and all stakeholders to make safety a top priority in every school across the nation," he said.
Earlier this week, an eight-year-old pupil was killed after she was stuck by a van in front of her school in Johor.
Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the accident occurred at about 12.30pm in front of the main gate.
He said preliminary investigations by the district Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division found that the van, which had just delivered goods, was leaving the school towards Jalan Simpang Lima-Parit Sulong.
"The van struck the victim, who was on foot, in front of the main gate.
"The victim, a Year Two pupil, sustained severe head and internal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene," he added.
