SEMPORNA - The Education Ministry (MoE) has been urged to establish a dedicated body or agency to oversee students' safety and welfare in schools while easing teachers' burden in handling disciplinary issues.
South East Asia Welfare and Education Foundation (SEAWEED) chairman Datuk Dr Mustapha Ahmad Marican said the body could be placed under the ministry or operate independently with its own powers and responsibilities.
He said the proposal was not unprecedented, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia have dedicated agencies or legal frameworks to monitor student safety in schools.
"Such a body would ensure that student safety is monitored more systematically rather than relying solely on schools,” he told Bernama.
Mustapha said it could also help address disciplinary issues, bullying and gangsterism that threaten students' safety and well-being.
He said bullying cases resulting in injuries among students must be treated seriously and warranted immediate and effective measures to strengthen school safety.
He also called for an in-depth study on bullying, taking into account students' mental health, and proposed regular bag inspections to prevent knives and other dangerous items from being brought into schools.
"Regular inspections of students' bags should also be carried out to ensure that sharp weapons such as knives or other dangerous items are not brought into schools, where they could pose a threat to other students,” he said. - BERNAMA