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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Teachers can't do it all
PETALING JAYA: The employment of former military and police personnel as wardens at boarding schools will ensure effective response against bullying, but must be done with caution, say experts. Gerakan Gubal Akta Anti Buli (GAB) chairperson Wan Azliana Wan Adnan said that the recent move by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to appoint retired army and police personnel as hostel wardens at two Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) should be expanded to cover all boarding schools. 'Currently, wardens are appointed from among teachers, who already carry full teaching responsibilities during the day. 'This dual role overburdens them and limits their ability to focus on student safety,' she said when contacted. Wan Azliana: Notes that retired military and police personnel possess a strong background in discipline, leadership and situational awareness. Wan Azliana, a lawyer and anti-bullying advocate, noted that a Federal Court case last year had shown the serious consequences when a warden fails in his duty of care. 'In that case, the warden did not perform his night rounds and failed to inspect the head prefect's room, where the bullying took place. 'This highlights the urgent need for dedicated wardens whose sole responsibility is student welfare and safety, rather than overburdened teachers who already have full teaching duties during the day.' She said that retired military and police personnel possess a strong background in discipline, leadership and situational awareness. 'Their background and experience would enhance student safety, deter bullying and ensure swift intervention when such incidents occur,' she said. Last month, Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced a pilot project involving the appointment of not more than 10 retired army and police personnel as wardens in MRSM Besut in Terengganu and MRSM Balik Pulau in Penang. Under the project, the wardens would begin service this month and would be monitored during a six-month trial period to evaluate the pros and cons of the initiative. The pilot project was implemented following the video recording of a bullying incident involving a group of students from MRSM in Seberang Perai Selatan which occurred mid-last year but went viral in April this year. Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon hopes that the government would prioritise appointing full-time wardens at boarding schools, noting that teachers currently serving in the role are burdened with dual responsibilities. 'This can be very exhausting, and it has become increasingly difficult to find teachers willing to take up warden duties voluntarily,' he said when contacted yesterday. Farah Nini: Calls for candidates to undergo the Tajma psychology test to ensure their compatibility with working with children. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia children's commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said that candidates hired as wardens for residential schools must be carefully screened prior to their appointment. 'While we do not have a complete screening mechanism akin to Children Check in Australia, we do have an electronic register established under Section 118 of the Child Act 2001. 'This allows for the relevant authorities or even individuals to screen people for purposes of employment,' she said. She said the register currently contains the list of convicted offenders of sexual abuse against children, and hopefully in the future, will also include other categories of offences against children as well. She added that candidates should also be made to undergo the Tajma psychology test to ensure their compatibility with working with children. The Tajma psychology test is named after its creator Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Tajudin Md Ninggal as an online psychological assessment tool developed locally for profiling personality traits and career interests.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Anti-bullying law urged
Experts call for stronger, clearer legislation to protect victims PETALING JAYA: It is time for the nation to have a dedicated anti-bullying law to address the issue comprehensively, says Gerakan Gubal Akta Anti Buli (GAB). GAB chairperson Wan Azliana Wan Adnan said that while there are current provisions to deal with bullying, there is no specific law that states bullying is a crime, nor is there a legal definition of bullying. She noted that the recent Federal Court case of 'Ahmad Ikhwan Ahmad Fauzi vs Mohd Fahimi Endut and others' was a good example where the courts found it difficult to clearly define what bullying is, owing to lack of a legal definition. 'A dedicated Anti-Bullying Act is necessary, just as Malaysia has enacted the Sexual Harassment Act, to ensure clear definitions, protections and penalties,' she said when contacted yesterday. She noted that several other countries have enacted specific anti-bullying laws to protect victims and tackle the issue effectively. 'Malaysia should do the same. This will make it clear, in law, that bullying is a crime and will not be tolerated,' she added. She said the anti-bullying law should encompass all forms of bullying, physical, mental, including online, regardless of whether the victims are children or adults. Wan Azliana, a lawyer and anti-bullying advocate, said GAB has been pushing for such a law since 2022. 'We even submitted a memorandum and suggestions to the former Law Minister as well as the Education Ministry,' she said. Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said that while a dedicated anti-bullying law will offer a more comprehensive solution to the problem, it would take some time for the law to be drafted and passed by Parliament. 'In the meantime, existing laws must be strengthened and enforced without delay to protect current victims,' he said. He added that if such a law is to be enacted, it must be comprehensive with an enforceable legal framework that sets clear definitions, procedures and accountability for all institutions. 'Whether this is achieved through a dedicated anti-bullying law or through substantial amendments to existing laws, the focus must be on real protection and decisive action, not just provisions on paper,' he said. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia children's commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said that there are enough laws to cover bullying. 'We have dedicated sections in the Penal Code for criminal law and a 2024 Federal Court decision that places the burden on the school and teachers when bullying takes place among students,' she said. She also noted that Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child also places a duty on state parties to prevent violence against children, which includes peer-to-peer violence. 'It is now time to fully enforce the SOP on prevention and management of bullying and to strengthen portals and mechanisms to ensure victims have outlets that are responsive to complaints.' Dr Farah said that while having laws is good, education and awareness among parents and children are equally important. 'Children must be taught and shown kindness while adults must exemplify this,' she said, adding that parents should not leave the responsibility to teachers alone, especially when sending kids to boarding schools. She also suggested that every school must have a clear Child Protection Policy, and parents and the school management must sign an AkuJanji document to pledge to prioritise children's safety.
