STUDENTS’ safety in schools should not be viewed solely through a physical lens, but should also take into account their psychosocial wellbeing and mental health, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Following concerns over several recent incidents involving students at schools, including fatal falls, Fadhlina said every incident will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“To prioritise students’ mental health as part of their welfare, wellbeing and holistic development, the ministry has implemented the Healthy Minds in Schools initiative to strengthen psychosocial support, promote students’ socio-emotional wellbeing and provide interventions for identified students to help them better manage their emotions.
“As such, every incident involving student safety will be assessed on a case-by-case basis because each involves many factors and is not solely a matter of (physical) safety.
“It also involves the psychosocial wellbeing and mental state of the children concerned,” she said during Minister’s Question Time yesterday.
She was responding to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Bahru), who asked about intervention measures following recent incidents involving students who fell from school buildings.
Fadhlina said her ministry would continue to carry out safety audits and strengthen monitoring to ensure schools remained safe for students.
She added that the ministry was carrying out these efforts through a special committee comprising various government agencies and organisations to ensure school safety measures were continuously reviewed and improved.
