SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has allocated RM3 million to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at 200 boarding schools.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said camera installations will start October 13, with the effort aimed at improving safety and preventing bullying among students.
“Installation sites were identified based on advice from the Malaysia Office of the Chief Government Security Officer (CGSO). The MOE will also perform spotchecks on boarding schools to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
“These checks will also be done at night, involving the MOE’s top management, state education director and district education officers,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Wong was responding to Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali’s question on how the MOE is handling the rise in bullying cases in schools, including in terms of prevention mechanisms, surveillance, early intervention, and action on perpetrators and lackadaisical administrators.
He said the MOE has launched various comprehensive prevention initiatives including the Healthy Mind Screening programme to improve students’ awareness of their own mental well-being.
He added that the MOE has appointed role models, peer guides and students leaders who become good examples for their friends.
The MOE’s bullying complaints system has been revamped with improvements to the portal, including by allowing anonymous reports to protect complainants and witnesses.
“Action has also been taken against administrators, teachers and district education officers who have been careless or have failed to manage complaints according to the SOP. Various intervention programmes such as ‘Bangkit Bermaruah (Rise with Dignity)’ have also been launched to give students a second chance to shape their sense of responsibility and self-discipline,” Wong said.
