Additional RM5 Mln For CCTV Installation To Boost School Safety

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) has allocated an additional RM5 million for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at selected schools nationwide as an immediate measure to enhance safety and reduce the risk of untoward incidents at educational institutions.

In a statement today, MOE said the initiative is part of the ministry’s comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and address student disciplinary issues across all educational institutions under its purview.

“This complements the initial allocation of RM3 million that was announced earlier for the same purpose,” it said.

In addition, MOE said 10,096 new teachers, including more than 500 Guidance and Counselling Teachers, will be deployed to schools nationwide beginning November 2025 to help meet current needs and strengthen students’ psychosocial support.

For fully residential schools, 600 full-time Hostel Warden Assistants will be appointed from among MySTEP personnel to enhance safety monitoring and ease the workload of wardens.

MOE is also strengthening the School Harmony Committee through cooperation with the police, including the role of School Liaison Officers in implementing safety monitoring at all educational institutions.

“At the same time, the function of the Smart Support Team at the state education department and district education office levels will continue to be enhanced to provide psychosocial support during crises, while teachers will undergo continuous training to improve preparedness in handling school emergencies,” it said.

MOE also stressed that the roles of principals, headmasters and school disciplinary committees will continue to be strengthened in handling disciplinary cases, including the authority to cane, suspend or expel students in accordance with existing regulations.

Principals and headmasters may delegate authority to specific teachers to discipline students as needed, while the student disciplinary regulations are being revised.

Additionally, the Student Character Development System (SSDM) will be improved to be more proactive in managing disciplinary cases and follow-up actions, while the ‘student voice box’ initiative will be expanded to ensure that teachers’ and students’ voices are heard, in line with UNICEF’s advocacy on child participation.

Also under consideration is the finalisation of the Child Protection Policy to safeguard students in schools, along with collaboration between MOE and the Ministry of Health to strengthen mental health screening programmes from Year One to Form Six, including ongoing intervention and psychosocial support.

“MOE calls on all parties, including parents, the community and relevant agencies, to continue working together to create a safe, healthy and disciplined learning ecosystem at every educational institution,” the ministry said.

-- BERNAMA