Creating a truly safe environment in our schools

Photo: Filepic/The Star

WANITA MCA notes the Education Ministry’s recent initiative to install CCTV systems in schools – a move our wing has long advocated for. This is a commendable step forward in safeguarding students and educators.

While Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s decision to prioritise schools with reported bullying cases appears practical, we should not assume that schools without such reports are completely devoid of bullying.

Many victims suffer in silence due to fear of reprisals or shame. Non-existing reports do not mean there is no risk.

Ultimately, the goal must be to have CCTV coverage in all schools, not just selected ones. The RM3mil allocation for 200 school hostels is promising, but the government must commit to a much larger and recurring budget in the coming years to ensure nationwide coverage.

To ensure the success of the programme, two key factors must be addressed:

1. Strategic placement: Cameras must be installed not only in hostels but also in public areas and high-risk zones that are often overlooked, such as corridors along classrooms and toilets, stairwells and hidden corners.

Recent tragedies, such as the death of a 10-year-old boy in a Senawang school toilet, the fatal stabbing of a student at a school in Petaling Jaya, and the reported gang rape in a classroom in Melaka, are grim reminders of why these areas must be monitored.

The absence of CCTV coverage at the dormitory in Papar, Sabah where Zara Qairina Mahathir tragically passed away further illustrates the urgency.

2. Proper maintenance: Non-functioning cameras are worse than none at all, giving a false sense of security and wasting public funds. Long-term maintenance must be guaranteed.

While CCTV systems are powerful monitoring tools, a multi-layered safety approach is essential:

> Enhanced entry control: Metal detectors at school entrances can act as deterrents against weapons, potentially preventing incidents like the fatal stabbing at the school.

> Physical security patrols: Technology alone is insufficient. Visible, trained security personnel can play a crucial role in detecting suspicious behaviour and diffusing potential threats.

> Strengthening values: The root cause of many school issues is a lack of empathy and ethics. The education system must place greater emphasis on moral education and character building. In this regard, the proposed Anti-Bullying Act and School Anti-Bullying Framework (SAFE) are timely and necessary initiatives.

The CCTV initiative is a positive start, but it must spread beyond mere installation. With strategic expansion, regular maintenance and integration with other physical and moral safeguards, our schools can become true havens for academic and holistic growth.

DATUK WONG YOU FONG

Wanita MCA National chairperson