Teachers not scapegoats under new student protection policy, says minister

Malaysia's Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, has reassured educators that the new School Student Protection Policy will not make them scapegoats for incidents involving student safety. Instead, the policy aims to create a clear system of protection for both students and teachers.

Sidek emphasized that the responsibility for student safety is a collective effort, not solely resting on teachers. The policy outlines specific roles for various stakeholders within the student protection ecosystem. This includes the Ministry of Education, state and district education offices, school leadership, teachers and staff as frontline personnel, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Social Welfare Department, and parents.

Teachers are instructed to report any concerns or reasonable suspicions about a student's safety immediately to school administrators. They are not required to wait for complete evidence before making a report. This process is designed to provide clarity to teachers and prevent further trauma for students through mishandling of cases.

To support educators, legal assistance will be provided to teachers based on the specific needs of each case. "We want our children to be safe. We also want teachers to be clear, confident, and know that there is a system standing with them. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility. Teachers should not bear it alone," Sidek stated, highlighting the ministry's commitment to ensuring teachers feel supported and informed.