2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Screen teachers, staff before hiring them, says MP
PKR backbencher Bakhtiar Wan Chik said screening teachers and staff in schools for criminal records would provide a key layer of prevention to ensure the safety of children.
KUALA LUMPUR : A PKR backbencher has called for all teachers and staff in schools and childcare centres to be screened for criminal records to curb unwanted incidents after a rise in cases related to abuse.
Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) told the Dewan Rakyat such checks should be made a condition before teachers, wardens, and support staff begin work.
He said the measure, which is also used in Australia to block those with criminal records from working with children, would send a strong signal that 'safety is a shared duty and non-negotiable'.
'It will not solve all issues, but it can be a key layer of prevention,' he said.
'This step will not only protect our children from potential harm, but also build parents' confidence that schools and preschools are a safe place for their children.
'Our greatest investment should not just be in school infrastructure or classroom technology, but in ensuring that every child who goes to school returns home safely every day,' he said when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Last year, police rescued over 400 children from 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan linked to Global Ikhwan Services & Business Holdings, with some staff and religious teachers among the 171 arrested for alleged sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Other cases include a teacher in Ipoh arrested last year for hugging, kissing and sending indecent photos to a 12-year-old student, and another facing trial this year for allegedly touching a female student with sexual intent.
Earlier today, the Muar sessions court ordered a teacher to enter his defence on charges of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy in a Tangkak school library six years ago.
