No one-size-fits-all approach to school safety, says education minister

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) will assess incidents involving student safety in schools individually, as each situation is different, said its minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said that at the same time, the ministry was strengthening audits and monitoring of school safety, including through the establishment of a special committee comprising various agencies and organisations to ensure all aspects of safety were given due attention and a safe school ecosystem could be created.

“I wish to emphasise that each case will be looked into separately as it involves many factors, not only safety issues but also the psycho-emotional and mental state of the children.

“We have received full support and expertise from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure that matters related to buildings, drains and fire safety are given proper guidance, alongside training to enhance safety coordination at school level,” she said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) on the MOE’s measures to safeguard student safety in schools.

Fadhlina said student safety and protection remain a priority for the ministry guided by five key focus areas, namely prevention, monitoring, reporting, intervention and enforcement, supported by strategic collaboration among various ministries and agencies.

She said the Safe School Management Guidelines and School Student Protection Policy, launched on June 11, now serve as the main reference for all educational institutions in strengthening students’ physical, social and emotional safety.

On efforts to combat bullying, Fadhlina said the MOE was updating the guidelines for handling bullying cases in line with the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which came into effect on June 16.

She said other measures included expanding CCTV installation to 333 schools this year from 200 schools in 2025, as well as the appointment of 300 hostel wardens from April 1 to strengthen night-time monitoring of students.

Responding to a supplementary question from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) on parents’ concerns over bullying, Fadhlina said each case would be assessed comprehensively with the support of certified counsellors and strengthened through the involvement of the Parent-Teacher Association, Parent, Community and Private Sector Involvement initiative, as well as relevant agencies, according to students’ needs. — Bernama