In a statement, the ministry said an additional RM5 million has been earmarked for the installation of CCTV cameras in selected schools nationwide, on top of the RM3 million previously allocated.

The ministry also announced that a total of 10,096 new teachers, including more than 500 guidance and counselling teachers, will be placed in schools nationwide by November to enhance psychosocial support for students.

It added that a total of 600 full-time hostel assistant wardens will be appointed from among MySTEP (short-term employment) personnel to improve the monitoring of student safety and reduce the workload of existing wardens.

The ministry, in collaboration with the health ministry, will strengthen mental health screening programmes from Year One to Form Six, to provide continuous intervention and psychosocial support for students.

It said a child protection policy will also be finalised soon to better safeguard students within schools.

Other measures include strengthened cooperation between the police and schools, enhanced smart support teams at education departments at various levels, and teacher training to improve preparedness for school emergencies.

The ministry also plans to strengthen the role of principals, headmasters and school discipline committees with a revision of student discipline regulations, including the power to delegate disciplinary authority to teachers as needed.

It said the student character development system will be reviewed and improved for more proactive use in managing disciplinary issues, including response strategies.

The ministry said it will also hold more regular dialogue and engagement sessions with students and teachers to better understand their needs and concerns.

“The ‘student voice box’ initiative aligns with the United Nations Children’s Fund’s child advocacy recommendations on promoting children’s voices in schools,” it added.

The announcement comes in the wake of several troubling incidents in schools involving allegations of rape, murder and bullying.