SHAH ALAM, July 14 — The state government will hold discussions with the Selangor Education Department (JPNS) to develop a new approach to addressing mental health issues among students through co-curricular programmes conducted outside the school syllabus.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision was made amid growing concerns over the impact of social media and modern lifestyles on the mental well-being of young people.
He believes the issue requires serious attention as its effects could adversely affect students' development and overall well-being.
"The latest case involving a student in Banting showed no elements of bullying. However, we will continue to monitor other cases because there are serious effects on the mental health of children arising from the influence of social media and modern lifestyles," he said.
Amirudin added that the issue requires a more comprehensive approach, as the existing curriculum provides limited scope to address it. As such, co-curricular programmes are seen as a suitable platform to complement efforts to promote students' mental well-being.
"Therefore, this issue needs to be approached more comprehensively. The state government will discuss with JPNS ways of addressing it through co-curricular programmes outside the syllabus, as the syllabus itself is subject to the Education Ministry's regulations and has limited flexibility," he said.
The Menteri Besar was speaking to the media after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus of Kuen Cheng High School in Bandar Seri Coalfields yesterday.
Amirudin noted that the state government will continue working closely with JPNS and other relevant parties to strengthen preventive measures and early intervention efforts in addressing mental health issues among students.
On Monday (July 6), a 15-year-old schoolgirl was injured after she was stabbed by a fellow student at a secondary school in Banting. The suspect was subsequently remanded by the police, and on Friday (July 10), she was charged in the Telok Datok Magistrate’s Court for attempted murder.
On October 14 last year, a 16-year-old student died after she was stabbed by a 14-year-old student at a secondary school in Petaling Jaya. The suspect was detained and subsequently sent to the Bahagia Ulu Kinta Hospital in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, for a psychiatric evaluation.
