JAIS To Tighten Religious School Teachers' Screening To Ensure Student Safety

SHAH ALAM, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) is in the process of formulating measures and guidelines to curb misconduct involving sexual offences in religious schools.

JAIS director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said discussions were currently underway with the School Registration Committee, with one of the proposals involving a more stringent teacher screening process.

“There is a possibility that we will require all teachers to obtain a police clearance. There needs to be security screening, and we will discuss with the police how to implement the screening,” he said.

He said this when met after the closing ceremony of the state preparatory course for students going abroad (Middle East) here today.

Mohd Shahzihan said guidelines governing interactions between students and teachers were also being discussed to address the issue, with stricter segregation to be proposed.

“Teachers, administrators and other students must not do anything that should be avoided, such as giving special treatment or meeting at unusual hours. They should not hold meetings or memorisation sessions at quiet times or when there is no supervision,” he said.

Previously, the media reported that the state government had handed over the investigation into a case involving alleged sexual assault by a teacher against a student at a religious school to the police.

-- BERNAMA