Experts reject blanket school metal detectors to avoid prison-like environments

SHAH ALAM - Installing metal detectors across Malaysia's nearly 10,000 schools could inadvertently transform nurturing classrooms into hostile, prison-like environments while completely failing to address the root causes of student violence, experts warned.

The security debate has gained momentum following a series of distressing campus bullying incidents and weapon-related attacks.

However, prominent analysts argue that implementing a blanket, high-tech security policy nationwide would induce massive financial deficits without actively solving student behavioral issues.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad asserted that academic institutions must remain safe havens for development rather than high-surveillance facilities.

He noted that because only a small fraction of schools face chronic disciplinary risks, a uniform deployment of metal detectors would be an inefficient use of ministry funding.

"There is no need to install metal detectors in every school. Schools are meant to provide a nurturing educational environment. If we introduce such measures everywhere, schools will begin to resemble correctional institutions rather than places of learning," Dr Anuar told Sinar Daily.

Instead of reactive hardware, Dr Anuar reiterated his proposal for a dynamic School Well-being Index to audit schools based on safety, student welfare, absenteeism, infrastructural deficits, and teacher stress.

He suggested that resources be heavily concentrated on the 10 to 15 per cent of campuses flagged as high-risk, providing them with targeted counselling support and trained security personnel.

Criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff shared a similar stance, noting that international data on the effectiveness of school metal detectors remains highly inconclusive.

"Metal detectors may help deter students from bringing weapons into schools, but there is no clear evidence that they significantly reduce violence," Nadiah explained. "A metal detector is only as effective as the security system surrounding it, including controlled entrances, visitor management, monitoring and crisis response procedures."

She cautioned that relying too much on tech gives a false sense of safety. She advised that schools with tight budgets should focus on simple, practical changes instead, such as securing access gates and training staff to monitor campuses properly.

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim also questioned the long-term feasibility of a nationwide rollout, citing high maintenance costs and intense daily operational delays for students entering campuses.

PAGE is urging the government to prioritize structural funding toward early intervention, anti-bullying education, conflict resolution training, and specialized mental health support for teachers and students alike.

"Malaysia would benefit from a comprehensive school safety framework that combines appropriate security measures with mental health support, early intervention and clear emergency response protocols," Noor Azimah concluded.