IN an earlier statement, Wanita MCA acknowledged that our education system is struggling to support the emotional wellbeing of our children. The recent tragedies involving school students have once again reminded Malaysians that too many of our young people are stressed, lonely or angry, with no healthy outlet to express what they feel.
While efforts to improve safety and create supportive spaces in schools must continue, we must also recognise that emotional health and character development begin at home. Family is the first classroom, and parents are the first teachers. No matter how strong our education policies are, schools cannot replace the emotional foundation that is built – or neglected – at home.
Alarming incidents among students, ranging from bullying and defiance, to school violence and sexual misconduct, reflect a deeper erosion of empathy, discipline and respect. Many parents, overwhelmed by work and modern pressures, may become either overprotective or overly indulgent, shielding children from hardship or accountability. Over time, this can lead to a lack of resilience and emotional maturity.
Protecting children begins by nurturing empathy, respect and kindness at home. Parents must engage with their children’s emotional worlds, creating an atmosphere where feelings and opinions can be shared without fear or shame. In today’s fast-paced digital age, emotional neglect can easily go unnoticed. Simple acts like asking about their day, friends and challenges, are powerful ways to stay connected. Connection remains the strongest form of protection.
Parents should also work hand-in-hand with educators. Discipline must be fair, but it must also be consistent. When issues arise, parents should seek to understand before reacting. Defending children blindly or resorting to legal threats undermines teachers and weakens the culture of respect in our schools.
Additionally, parents must remember to be attentive to signs of distress in their children, such as sudden withdrawal or changes in behaviour. Are they consuming harmful content online? Are they being influenced by unhealthy peer dynamics? Recognising these signals early allows parents to guide and connect with their children, not just correct them.
Education is a shared responsibility. Schools and families must collaborate to cultivate discipline, compassion and accountability. As a final emphasis: learning does not begin in the classroom. It begins at home, in the everyday conversations that teach children how to care, to listen and to grow.
CHAN QUIN ER
Wanita MCA Secretary-General
MCA Information Chief
