Bandar Utama tragedy sparks school safety crackdown

THE recent stabbing incident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old student in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya has triggered concern in schools across the country, prompting them to tighten the safety measures by taking initiatives on their own.

Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS), a Chinese independent school in Miri, recently gained netizens’ attention when they shared a Facebook post showing its students undergo metal-detector scan before entering the school compound.

Metal detectors

When contacted by thesundaypost, the principal Kong Pei Chuen revealed that they had actually been using metal detectors for several years as part of the efforts of imposing strict discipline on their students.

“Before the metal detectors, we were like other schools, conducting physical spot-checks.

“This was a part of our merit-demerit system to ensure students would comply strictly with the rules.

“Those found bringing in prohibited items would have their points deducted.

“During these checks, the prefects would be patting down the pockets of the students’ clothes and checking their school-bags.

“However, we received complaints about students not feeling comfortable being patted down, as it meant that there was physical touching; hence, the metal detectors being brought in,” she explained.

The use of these detectors, according to Kong, is imposed routinely, where the prefects would randomly select students to undergo scanning, under close supervision of the disciplinary teachers.

“Currently, the school has less than 1,000 students, so random selection is carried out to save time.

“Checking every student would be very time consuming, and might cause students to be late for class.”

Kong said the school did a trial run on Oct 17, to see whether the checks on every student could be done in time before the start of the first lesson, or they would be late for class.

“It turned out that we managed to complete the inspection before first class, but we will not continue to scan everyone.

“The screening will still be run randomly, as we have been doing it before,” she said.

When asked about the types of prohibited items seized from the students, Kong listed scissors, artwork cutters, mobile phones and vapes as among the very common ones.

SMK Merbau in Miri has also been using metal detectors since last year, for inspection at the entrance and also when conducting spot-checks in classrooms to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff.

“This initiative aims to prevent students from bringing prohibited or dangerous items to school, while educating them about the importance of following rules and maintaining personal safety and that of their peers,” it said in a post on its official Facebook page.

It hoped that with the ongoing effort, it would help create a safer, more harmonious and more disciplined school environment.

Other measures

Metal detectors may not be used in every school, but it is believed many secondary schools in Miri have taken their own initiatives to curb disciplinary issues, with more spot-checks more frequently.

A disciplinary teacher at one of the secondary schools in the city spoke to thesundaypost about their effort to uphold safety amidst lacking manpower and tools.

“Checks conducted at random time and on random classes are part of our school’s routine to ensure that students do not bring prohibited items to school.

“The most common prohibited items that we have found on students are mobile phones, which we would seize straight away and request that the parents or the legal guardians come and collect them.

“I must also say that despite our best effort, we do find that many students are much smarter. They would know the most discreet places to hide these items, concealed from the eyes of the prefects and teachers.

“Due to the shortage of teachers and also limited time, there is only so much we can do.

“Nevertheless, we always do our best in ensuring that the students always comply with the school rules.

“More importantly, we need the cooperation from the parents in teaching their children the difference between right and wrong.

“Consistent communication between the teachers and parents is crucial in effectively guiding and disciplining the students,” said the disciplinary teacher, who requested anonymity.

Mobile phones, according to him, are a tricky subject.

“This device, as we can see from many cases happening previously, can become a tool for bullying.

“We understand that the parents want to be able to reach their children easily, especially when it concerns emergencies.

“That’s why at our school, we have public phones, and the students can purchase phone cards from the school’s cooperative shop to contact their parents whenever it is necessary.

“We still believe that mobile phones should not be allowed within the school compound, as this would help students stay fully focused during lessons,” he said.

When to get help

Aside from frequent spot-checks and deploying metal detectors, RRSS places utmost priority on students’ wellbeing, acknowledging that teenagers do have their fair share of stress and anxiety.

According to Kong, the teachers are constantly on alert and can sense if there is something amiss with the students whom they see every day throughout school week.

“It is important for teachers to be observant of their charges – at the RRSS, we make sure of that.

“If a student suddenly appears distracted or begins behaving differently, teachers are strongly advised to refer them to the school counsellor for support.

“Our school counsellor is certified and well-experienced in helping students deal with various health-related issues, both physical and emotional,” she said.

Awareness via education, communication

However, not all schools share the same view on safety and security.

SM Pei Min principal Pui Mui Kiaw, for one, strongly believes that a school is supposed to be a place of education, including instilling awareness in the students.

“High-security areas that enforce checks or security screening like an airport; this is understandably necessary.

“To have it in schools, I think, could result in a waste of resources and create tension or distrust among the students.

“At SM Pei Min, we prefer to foster safety awareness through education and communication so that it becomes a conscious and internalised behaviour in the students, rather than relying solely on external preventive measures,” she opined.

According to Pui, being one of the two Chinese independent schools in Miri, SM Pei Min has always maintained strict discipline through enforced rules.

“This includes prohibition on bringing sharp objects to school.

“We have zero tolerance over bullying, whether in verbal or physical form.

“Every case will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with seriously.

“At the same time, counselling is provided to achieve a deterrent effect.

“In fact, we conduct counselling sessions regularly to educate students on school safety and crisis awareness.

“We encourage students to care for their peers and to detect potential issues early, which can prevent many problems,” she elaborated.

Pui strongly felt that schools should place greater emphasis on moral education in guiding students to never cross boundaries.

“Those with good characters will have lower possibility of engaging in behaviours that violate morality and the laws.”

Root of disciplinary problems

Veteran educator Dato Dr Fong Onn Min, who has more than 50 years in teaching and school administration, believes that school disciplinary issues are not new but have grown more complex due to social media and changing societal values.

“Based on my experience, disciplinary problems exist wherever people gather, especially at school,” said the recipient of the ‘Tokoh Guru Negeri Sarawak’ (Sarawak Teaching Figure) 2019 Award.

He added that although the multiple parties responsible for discipline in school would include the parents, teachers, society and the Education Ministry, he pointed out the headmaster or the principal as the one playing the most crucial role.

“A headmaster or principal shapes the school’s culture, direction and values.

“A strong school culture gives students pride and a sense of belonging, leaving little room for misbehaviour,” he said.

Fong also attributed today’s deteriorating discipline to a mix of several factors: overprotective family, weakened authority, and misapplied ‘gentle parenting’.

“These can harm the children.”

Rather, he advocated for the ‘3F’ principle: ‘Firm’, ‘Fair’ and ‘Friendly’.

“When these are applied correctly, problems can be contained, if not solved.

“Though excessive corporal punishment is arguably not an ‘all-for-one’ solution, I do support appropriate corrective measures under clear, educational intent.”

Fong also pointed out structural weaknesses in the education system, particularly the limited authority given to the headmasters and principals, the weak quality of teachers and the ineffectiveness of moral education, both at school and home.

He called for ‘simpler school rules’, stronger moral and civic curricula and character-building education set to integrate emotional and psychological well-being, instead of implementing security checks like school-bag inspection.

“I believe these (physical security measures) do not address the root of the problem.

“At times, students who feel neglected or undervalued may act out to gain attention, so recognition and encouragement are vital,” he pointed out.

“Ultimately, I believe that disciplinary reforms require a holistic approach both at school and home, and in the need of blending firm discipline into education,” he added.