JOHOR BARU: Education groups have welcomed the Education Ministry's move to introduce 11 additional measures to strengthen safety and discipline in schools, but say the real test will be in their consistent and effective implementation nationwide.
Malaysian Education Concorde Organisation (Me'Didik) chairman Mohd Ridhwan Othman described the initiative as a good step forward in addressing disciplinary issues involving students.
However, he raised concerns about several aspects of the plan, including the decision to install CCTV cameras only in selected schools.
"CCTV cameras should be installed in all schools, including those in rural areas. This would make it easier for teachers to monitor students and help prevent untoward incidents," he said.
Mohd Ridhwan also welcomed the deployment of more than 10,000 new teachers next month, including 500 guidance and counselling teachers.
However, he said their start date should be postponed to the new school term in 2026.
"The current term ends in December, which means these new teachers will have only a short time to settle in.
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"Most of them are likely fresh graduates with limited classroom experience," he said.
He urged the ministry to send the new recruits for retraining and preparation courses to better equip them for the upcoming school term.
Johor English Language Teaching Association (Jelta) president Vincent D'Silva said the announcement was a timely and necessary step as schools grapple with post-pandemic behavioural issues and rising cases of student distress.
"This move signals a more proactive stance by the ministry. For years, schools have needed stronger systems to ensure both safety and discipline, and it's encouraging to see tangible measures being implemented rather than just policy statements," he said.
D'Silva added that the initiative would help restore public confidence in the education system, as student safety is now being treated as seriously as academic performance.
However, he cautioned that for the measures to be credible, they must be implemented uniformly across the country.
"The ministry must ensure these measures reach not only high-profile urban schools but also those in rural and under-resourced areas," he said.
D'Silva said that while CCTV cameras could serve as a visible deterrent to misconduct, long-term success depends more on human factors - such as the quality of training for teachers, wardens and counsellors - and consistent follow-through on disciplinary procedures.
"Discipline should be shaped through restorative, not punitive, approaches. Surveillance can support accountability, but the focus must remain on emotional education and positive behaviour development," he added.
He also stressed the need for clear data privacy protocols to prevent misuse of CCTV footage.
"The success of this policy will depend not only on technical readiness but also on community understanding.
"Teachers, parents and students must all see this as a shared effort rather than surveillance."
He also welcomed the strengthening of counselling services, describing it as a crucial element of the new measures.
"Students today face immense emotional and social pressures. Beyond hiring counsellors, we need to normalise help-seeking and build peer support systems within schools," he said.
D'Silva added that regular wellness check-ins, mental health clubs and partnerships with NGOs could further enhance student well-being.
He called on the ministry to set up a clear monitoring and accountability framework to ensure long-term consistency in the reforms.
"Sustainability has always been the Achilles' heel of our education policies.
"The ministry should publish annual progress reports and consider forming an independent oversight committee to maintain continuity," he said.