PETALING JAYA: Schools need to beef up security as well as improve screening and support for at-risk students to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone, says Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE).
Its chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim called for appropriate measures to be in place such as better monitoring of entry points, visitor management, regular safety audits, staff training and clear emergency response protocols.
“The Education Ministry should review and strengthen school safety measures where necessary, especially in light of recent incidents,” she said when contacted.
On Thursday, a 13-year-old boy from Alor Gajah, Melaka, was alleged to have brandished a penknife after two other students, aged 13 and 14, repeatedly threw ice at him.
Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said the Form One student has been receiving psychiatric treatment at Hospital Melaka, with his most recent follow-up session on June 3.
On July 6, a 15-year-old girl was arrested for stabbing a fellow student at a secondary school in Banting, Selangor.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the girl was suffering from mental health issues, including depression, and that investigations are also focused on her social media usage, which may have impacted her behaviour.
Melaka PAGE chairman Mak Chee Kin spoke on the importance of identifying and supporting students who are in distress before a crisis occurs.
“Screening alone is insufficient. It must be accompanied by awareness programmes, confidential referral pathways, timely professional assessment and appropriate follow-up care.”
He said that schools need qualified counsellors who are not overburdened.
“They can form stronger collaboration with healthcare professionals, clearer referral pathways for students requiring specialist care and better training for teachers to recognise warning signs.”
He said parents should be engaged to ensure at-risk students get continuous support at home.
“This incident reminds us that intervention cannot end after an initial crisis; students at risk may need sustained monitoring and support over time.”
SK Taman Megah Parent-Teacher Association chairman Yuwaraj Kumar Balakrishnan said there must be concerted efforts to make digital spaces safe for youths.
“The ease of access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook pose a big threat such as cyberbullying, online fraud and unsafe content,” he said.
“Without proper guidance, our children are prone to fall into those dangers,” he said, adding that the school’s PTA had recently launched a Digitalisation and Safe Content Programme to not only teach students how to use technology but also become smart, ethical and responsible consumers.
In IPOH, paediatric neurologist Dr Alex Khoo Peng Chuan said children with intellectual disability should be provided with medical consultation as early as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
“Some may have medical or non-medical problems, psychological or non-organic issues, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be treated. If the root cause is not addressed, some cases may transform into a critical mental breakdown.”
Dr Khoo said he understood that parents might fear stigmatisation, but they should not let this affect their children’s well-being.
The Education Ministry, he said, needs to re-examine the Key Performance Index for schools.
Schools should focus not just on academics but also soft skills.
“Doctors or relevant professionals can be engaged to visit schools to talk to the teachers or equip them with skills so they can resolve conflicts.”
