PETALING JAYA: Teachers, please stay calm and let the Education Ministry explain the new School Student Protection Policy, says Fadhlina Sidek (pic).
The Education Minister said she has asked the Education Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad and the ministry’s legal advisor to hold a special session with stakeholders to answer and understand every concern raised by teachers.
“I understand the concerns expressed by teachers regarding the School Student Protection Policy,” she said in a Facebook post on Thursday (August 13).
She was responding to the outcry from teachers regarding the policy, which is perceived to put an unfair amount of pressure on them to protect students’ wellbeing.
Fadhlina said the policy refers to the protection of all those involved in dealing with students. “The ministry’s priority is to protect all students, teachers and all school staff. If an incident occurs at school, this policy provides detailed guidance regarding the responsibilities of all parties and how to handle it,” she added.
The policy was first announced by the ministry through a circular dated July 1 from the Education Ministry director-general’s office.
According to the circular, the policy requires school staff and external parties who have dealings with the school and its staff to sign a Letter of Commitment to Comply with the School Student Protection Policy for schools under the ministry.
“This policy stipulates that school administrators and stakeholders must ensure that all decisions and actions are based on the interests of students.
“This policy also guarantees students' rights to speak out safely and ethically, protects students from any form of threat, protects students' privacy and dignity, and supports student involvement in aspects of student well-being and welfare,” it said.
