She said it was also important that students involved in sports activities have undergone a medical check-up and reminded parents to notify schools of any health conditions their children may have.

“Medical check-ups depend on the type of sport participated in, but each team is required to have a medical officer or paramedic present during matches or events.

“We also want to remind children and coaches to always prioritise safety,” she told reporters after launching an anti-bullying roadshow here.

Fadhlina was commenting on the Form Four student who collapsed during the National-Level Fully Residential School Rugby 7s Tournament in Ipoh on Friday. The student was initially treated at the venue. He was then taken to hospital for further treatment, but was later pronounced dead.

Police said that the 16-year-old player from Johor died from internal bleeding caused by a torn psoas muscle (that runs from the lower spine to the upper thigh).

Following the tragic turn of events, the education ministry announced yesterday that the tournament had been cancelled and will now be held from Jan 28-31 next year.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the report on the safety audit in over 700 schools will be ready within two months.

She said the findings would help improve the ministry’s “Safe School Framework” for inclusion in the upcoming budget.

‘Guide, not punish, to tackle bullying’

Earlier in her speech, Fadhlina said that schools should focus on providing guidance rather than taking a punitive approach towards problematic students when tackling bullying in schools.

She said corporal punishment, such as caning, was not a solution.

“Many people say, ‘Just cane them, make it compulsory.’ It’s easy to say that, but it’s not that simple.

“Our approach must be educational and holistic. We must take into account every aspect of a child’s development,” the Nibong Tebal MP said.