Student Attacks Teacher in Kuching: Welfare Department Ready to Provide Counselling Services

KUCHING: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) is prepared to provide counselling services to a student who attacked a teacher at a private school in the city, should the family require such assistance.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said, however, that the department did not want to rush into offering the services, as the student’s family was still dealing with a difficult situation following the incident and the ongoing police investigation.

“We do not want to rush the family into seeking our services because it could potentially disturb the children and their family, especially while the police investigation is still ongoing.

“Nevertheless, we have informed them that such services are available and that we are ready to assist if needed,” she told reporters after attending the “Pusak Tembun To The World” programme at the Borneo Cultures Museum here today.

In the incident last Wednesday morning, a female teacher sustained injuries while attempting to seize a sharp weapon from a 16-year-old male student. The incident was reported at approximately 8.03 am.

Preliminary information indicated that the student had brought firecrackers to school before allegedly injuring the teacher with an axe. The victim reportedly suffered injuries to her hands.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using a weapon or dangerous object, as well as Section 6(1) of the Explosives Act 1957 in connection with the possession of explosives.

Commenting further, Nancy said JKM viewed the incident seriously, particularly regarding the welfare and well-being of the children and families involved.

She stressed that the student could not simply be placed in a JKM institution at the request of certain parties if he still had a family capable of caring for him.

“If he has a family, it is better for him to remain with them. We will not take children away from their own families unless there are specific reasons to do so,” she said.

She explained that when a child has no parents or close relatives capable of providing care, JKM would usually seek a court order to determine the appropriate form of protection.

However, in this case, Nancy said the student still had his family, and the department respected their need to remain together and allow the situation to settle following the incident.

“Sometimes, when something happens, we need time to reflect carefully on what caused the situation. So, for now, we will leave it to the family,” she said.

Regarding the welfare of the injured teacher and classmates who may have experienced trauma, Nancy said their well-being was also being taken into consideration. However, she noted that the school and the Ministry of Education (MOE) had their own counsellors.

She said educational counsellors should take the lead in providing psychosocial support to affected teachers and students, while JKM remained ready to cooperate if additional assistance was required.

“We respect the Ministry of Education because it has its own counsellors, and we sometimes work together. However, we give the relevant authorities the opportunity to handle the matter first.

“If they need our assistance, God willing, we will help. We are always ready,” she said.

Berita Harian