JASIN: The Melaka government has defended a school's decision to shut its main gate at 7.30am each day, saying the move is aimed at tackling worsening truancy among students.
State education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the decision was not made solely by the principal of SMK Sungai Rambai, but was made at the school's parent-teacher association (PTA) meeting.
He said the school, which has a student population of 663 from Form One to Form Five, introduced the measure after recording the lowest average attendance among 35 secondary schools in the district at 90.27%.
"Between January and April, the school recorded 1,550 truancy cases, with an average of 23 students absent daily.
"Of that number, 429 students were absent between one and 10 days, 88 students between 11 and 20 days, 14 students between 21 and 30 days, while 19 students skipped school for more than 30 days," he said on Monday (May 18).
Rahmad said the school had also identified 12 students who were repeatedly late for school, comprising one Form Two student, five Form Three students, four Form Four students and two Form Five students.
"The principal had to take firmer action to ensure students attend school consistently and punctually.
"This was not a decision made by the principal alone because the PTA agreed that stricter enforcement was necessary because of the serious truancy issue," he said.
Rahmad added that the principal, who has served at the school for more than two years, had already achieved positive results through a stricter disciplinary approach, with the school’s attendance rate now improving.
The matter recently went viral on Threads after a banner displayed outside the school alleged that students were being denied entry following the gate closure policy.
However, Rahmad said the act of putting up banners without approval was inappropriate, as the school had never denied students access to education and had always remained open to discussions with parents.
He said teachers had also conducted home visits to students who frequently played truant, although some parents failed to attend meetings called by the school administration.
"If we do not act firmly, the truancy problem will continue.
"That is why the principal’s action received the support of the PTA to improve student discipline and attendance," he added.
