IPOH: The Education Ministry is stepping up efforts to tackle mental health issues among school students following several incidents at schools.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the ministry has been implementing continuous measures since last year.
These measures include setting up the Education Institution Safety Reform Special Committee (Jawatankuasa Khas Reformasi Keselamatan Institusi Pendidikan) comprising various stakeholders, including community representatives and relevant parties.
"It is to monitor developments and recommend appropriate interventions from time to time to address issues.
“There are also continuous measures, including, counselling and advisory services, peer support programmes and initiatives involving guidance and counselling teachers," he told reporters after officiating the NEM 3.0 Solar Energy Generation System, the first pilot project in government-aided schools on Monday (July 13).
Also present was Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee.
Wong was asked to comment on the recent incidents at schools.
On Monday (July 6), a 15-year-old girl was arrested for stabbing a fellow student at a secondary school in Banting.
On Thursday (July 9), a 13-year-old student allegedly attempted to attack two schoolmates while armed with a penknife at a secondary school in Alor Gajah.
Wong added that all these efforts are ongoing and will continue to ensure students receive the support they need.
"The ministry takes such incidents seriously and has instructed all State Education Departments and District Education Offices to strictly comply with existing guidelines and report cases immediately.
“This is a clear directive from the ministry to all school administrators,” he said.
Wong added that safeguarding students’ mental well-being requires a whole-of-society approach involving the Education Ministry, State Education Departments, District Education Offices, schools, parents and the community.
“We also call on parents and the community to pay close attention to the well-being and development of our children, whether they are in school, at home or elsewhere, to ensure they grow up in a healthy and supportive environment,” he added.
On the programme, Wong said the pilot project promotes the adoption of renewable energy and environmental sustainability in educational institutions.
He said the initiative is expected to encourage more schools to transition to clean energy, reduce electricity costs and support the country’s energy transition agenda.
Under the project, the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are expected to generate about 91,000kWh of electricity in the first year, with estimated electricity cost savings of approximately RM382,993 over a 20-year period.
He added that 15 schools are participating in the initiative, which was spearheaded by the Ipoh Timor MP in collaboration with Malaysia100 and GSPARX Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
He said the project adopts a zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) model where schools do not have to bear any installation costs or provide funding.
The system will be financed, built and maintained by GSPARX.
