Student Protection Policy Not Meant to Make Teachers Scapegoats – Fadhlina

PUTRAJAYA: The School Student Protection Policy is not intended to make teachers the party to be blamed if something happens to a student, stressed Education Minister, Fadhlina Sidek.

She said, the responsibility of protecting the safety and well-being of students is not placed entirely on the shoulders of teachers, but instead involves the entire ecosystem including the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM), State Education Departments (JPN), District Education Offices (PPD), school leadership, the police, the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) and parents.

“This policy is not to find who can be blamed when something happens. Let alone to make teachers the scapegoats.

“We want to protect students, we want to protect teachers, we want a safe school ecosystem,” she said in a Facebook post on Friday.

This assertion was made when the implementation of the policy raised concerns among some teachers and parents, particularly regarding the division of responsibilities and the actions that need to be taken should safety or welfare issues of students arise.

Among the matters of concern is the requirement to sign the policy’s undertaking document, with the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) previously expressing worry that it could have implications for teachers and urging that the document be replaced with a commitment pledge that does not create polemics.

The concern also prompted broader questions about the extent to which teachers are protected when carrying out their responsibilities, including when receiving complaints or making reports based on concerns over student safety. NUTP had also previously submitted proposals regarding the need for a Teacher Protection Act as well as improvements to complaint management procedures.

Fadhlina said, among the biggest concerns voiced by teachers over the past few days is regarding their responsibility if something happens to a student.

She said, there are teachers who are worried about the action to be taken when receiving a complaint, besides feeling that the explanation regarding the policy is still insufficient.

“I hear all these concerns. That is why I have asked the Director-General of Education Malaysia, Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad to continue engagement and briefing sessions so that every question from teachers can be answered clearly,” she said.

She clarified, this step does not mean that the policy was formed without discussion, as KPM had previously held engagement sessions with various stakeholders.

Among them were JPN, PPD, NUTP, the Malaysian School Principals Council (MPSM), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), UNICEF, ARUS Academy, Buku Jalinan Chow Kit as well as several non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

However, Fadhlina said, if there are still teachers who are unclear or feel worried after the sessions, KPM considers the explanatory efforts as not yet complete.

“Further briefing sessions will begin tonight and their recordings will also be uploaded so that they can be referred to by teachers,” she said.

Meanwhile, she explained that when there is concern over student safety, teachers do not need to wait until they have complete evidence before making a report.

“When receiving a complaint or having reasonable suspicion, report it immediately to the administrator. Teachers do not need to wait until they have complete evidence to report.

“After that, the case needs to be coordinated, action determined according to the type and level of the case and referred to the relevant authorities when necessary,” she said.

She said, this procedure aims to provide clarity to teachers regarding the action to be taken, besides ensuring that students do not experience repeated trauma due to inappropriate case handling.

Fadhlina also assured that teachers will not be left alone when carrying out their responsibility to protect students.

“We do not want teachers to be left alone when protecting students and we also will not leave our teachers to face challenges alone.

“KPM is always sensitive and legal assistance is also provided to teachers who need it based on the suitability and requirements of the case,” she said.

She said, briefings and engagement sessions need to continue until teachers truly understand their roles, the boundaries of their responsibilities and the action to be taken when faced with a case.

“Protecting our children is a shared responsibility. Teachers should not have to bear it alone,” she said.

Sinar Harian