Kuala lumpur: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has given assurance that all fully residential schools across the country are safe. She noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) continually enhances safety measures and remains committed to ensuring a secure and conducive educational ecosystem that positively impacts student development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina expressed her commitment to safety during a session with reporters following a ceremony at Sekolah Sinar Harapan. She reassured parents about the ongoing improvements in safety measures within residential schools. She emphasized that efforts are in place to strengthen the ecosystem, ensuring the schools remain a safe choice.

Fadhlina’s remarks came as a response to concerns raised by Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who highlighted parental reluctance in Sabah to send their children to boarding schools due to bullying concerns. Fadhlina stated that the 72 fully residential schools nationwide continue to be a preferred option for many parents. She stressed that addressing bullying requires a collective effort beyond individual responsibility.

The Education Minister detailed various initiatives undertaken by the ministry to combat bullying, including reinforcing school Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensuring teacher presence during school hours for better monitoring. She mentioned that MOE is prepared to take decisive actions against bullying offenders, including suspension and participation in the ‘Bangkit Bermaruah’ intervention programme.

Furthermore, Fadhlina highlighted the ministry’s efforts in empowering school counsellors. By providing targeted training and exposure, counsellors are better equipped to identify students at risk of disciplinary issues, enabling early intervention and adopting a comprehensive approach to prevent bullying in schools.