No Compromise On Negligence In Student Safety, Says Wong

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The government will not compromise on any form of negligence which jeopardises student safety, particularly those with special educational needs, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

He said that the 2023 incident, involving injury to a special needs student, must serve as a critical reminder of the shared responsibility to ensure that schools remain safe and conducive environments for all students.

“The Ministry of Education (MOE) also places strong emphasis on instilling good manners and moral values among students, and all educational institutions are advised to adhere strictly to the Special Circular (SPI) outlining standard operating procedures (SOPs), including incident reporting and safety protocols for physical education and co-curricular activities.

He added that schools are also encouraged to carry out systematic risk assessments for all activities, and to enhance civic education programmes which foster empathy and compassion among students.

Wong said this during a Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today, in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), regarding the government’s position on the incident involving a special needs student who was injured while in class on Oct 12, 2023.

Wong said that MOE remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of all students, regardless of background, and prioritises creating a safe and inclusive school environment which supports their holistic development.

Commenting on the specific case, he said that the ministry had taken both immediate and long-term measures. These included actions by the school, which implemented several intervention steps such as providing psychological, social, and counselling support to the student and the family, through a home visit programme by teachers.

He added that investigations were also conducted by the Selangor Education Department and the district education office, to determine the exact cause of the incident.

“The ministry found that the incident was an accident and did not involve professional negligence or any breach of conduct warranting disciplinary action against the officers involved,” he said.

However, he noted that the case is currently being heard at the Shah Alam High Court, and assured that MOE is prepared to fully cooperate with the judicial process.

He added that MOE will continue to monitor the progress of the case and extend full cooperation to ensure justice is served for all parties involved.

-- BERNAMA