A chance to change: Prison Dept's Hijrah Kasih programme spurs reform through skills training, family support
'Prove that you can change and can choose the right path after (your term),' its Corrective Division director Nora Musa said after a Hijrah Kasih programme at the Kota Kinabalu Prison Department Integrity School on Thursday (May 8).
The 16th edition of the programme from Tuesday to Thursday (May 6 to 8) saw 49 prospects from three correctional institutions in Sabah given a chance to change through education and moral development, she said.
The programme is organised by the department and Education Ministry and aims to provide the skills necessary to earn a good living upon release.
It is also a platform for families and communities to understand the importance of second chances, education, reform and support, Nora said.
'Prison walls should not stop anyone from rising again and changing for the better,' she stressed.
'Quality education is the basis of the effort to rehabilitate and create people of moral values and build character, especially among the youth."
She added that the department's vision to be a pioneering corrective facility would not be achieved without the collaboration of all involved, especially in terms of education and human development.
Nora said Hijrah Kasih also provides a platform for self-reflection, making amends and resetting the future.
'The participation of families and friends shows how blood ties remain strong despite the separation by prison walls," she said, adding that such support also helps encourage change.
Participants in the recent event were from the Kota Kinabalu Integrity School, the Henry Gurney School for Women Kota Kinabalu, and Henry Gurney School Keningau.
The approach of building character through such programmes began at the Henry Gurney School in Telok Mas, Melaka in 2012, with proven results, Nora added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Guidelines on vertical schools finalised, to be brought to Cabinet
Deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh said they had engaged the housing and local government ministry, public works department, fire and rescue department, as well as parents and teachers. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The education ministry has finalised its guidelines for the development of vertical schools, taking into account basic principles for the design, including supervision and student safety. Deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh said the guidelines would be presented to the Cabinet soon. He said the ministry took into account several factors in determining the concept, including vertical movement safety, accessibility for students with special needs, as well as students' emotional and social well-being. 'We also looked into technical aspects such as acoustics, soundproofing, lighting and natural ventilation, emergency routes, building structure, maintenance and strata management,' he told the Dewan Rakyat today. He was replying to Muslimin Yahaya's (PN-Sungai Besar) question about Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) proposal to construct a two-block vertical school of between 10 and 17 storeys. To refine the design of these schools, Wong said they had engaged the housing and local government ministry, public works department, fire and rescue department, as well as parents and teachers. He said the housing and local government ministry had proposed three models, namely constructing schools on land specifically earmarked for education purposes; incorporating community facilities such as clinics and libraries; and integrating school buildings with residential and commercial developments. Wong added that the implementation of vertical schools would be subject to assessments by the education ministry and the relevant technical agencies, particularly in areas with populations exceeding one million. DBKL previously proposed the construction of more vertical-concept schools to address land constraints and the growing population in the capital city.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Schools see return of 4,758 dropouts
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,758 dropout students returned to school between Feb 10 this year and today — a more than 75 per cent increase compared with 2,708 students last year. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said this was aided through the Student Tracking System (SiPKPM) which helps analyse dropout cases. He said the main factors contributing to student dropouts include lack of interest in school, expulsion, work, family problems and chronic illness. "This system includes data on all school-aged children from Year 1 to Form 5, including those in private educational institutions and religious education institutions. "The system helps analyse dropout cases and allows for more accurate data downloads, visualisation of dropout locations through heat maps and identification of the schools involved so that intervention can be carried out to return these students to school. "In addition, students at risk of dropping out can be given targeted interventions to prevent them from leaving school and to keep them enrolled. "The effectiveness of the SiPKPM is evident, with 4,758 dropout students returning to school between Feb 10 and today, compared with 2,708 students last year," he said in the Dewan Rakyat. Wong added that this proves a data-driven and continuous monitoring approach can improve the re-enrolment rate of students into the education system. He said recently, SiPKPM has been integrated with artificial intelligence applications that can predict the learning and career pathways of at-risk students and dropouts enrolled in Education Ministry schools, up to Form 5. "These predictions will help retain at-risk and dropout students so that they continue their education until the completion of Form 5." He was responding to a question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baru) on the effectiveness of the SiPKPM.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Ministry taking serious, proactive measures to prevent fires in schools
PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is taking serious and proactive steps to prevent fire incidents at school premises following a disturbing rise in fire-related cases over the past few years. According to the Fire and Rescue Department's annual report, the number of school structure fires increased from 71 cases in 2021 to 152 cases in 2023 – more than doubling in just two years. In response, the ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of students and school staff across the country. The ministry stated that it views the matter seriously and has long-standing procedures in place to curb such incidents. 'One of the main policies enforced is the Surat Pekeliling Ikhtisas No. 7 of 2009, which outlines fire prevention guidelines for schools. 'Under this directive, schools are reminded to take proactive measures, including conducting thorough inspections of electrical wiring in school buildings,' said its minister Fadhlina Sidek. Schools with outdated or unsafe wiring, particularly those exceeding the standards set by the Public Works Department (PWD), are required to submit immediate replacement requests to their respective state education departments. The ministry has also issued a reminder letter on building safety to all educational institutions under the ministry, dated June 12. These safety measures must be implemented to prevent fires that could result in property damage and loss of life. In terms of infrastructure upgrades, the ministry, in collaboration with the Electrical Engineering Branch of PWD, has carried out rewiring works at 409 schools across Peninsular Malaysia that are over 50 years old. The matter was raised during the Dewan Rakyat sitting by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail (PH-Bandar Tun Razak), who asked the education minister to state the actions and measures taken to prevent fire incidents at school premises, citing the significant increase in cases as reported by the Fire and Rescue Department. The ministry said it is committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of students and school staff across the country. – Pic from Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Sungai Besi Dua Kuala Lumpur/FBPIX
