Hoping for Budget to Include Safe School Framework, Education Minister: Increase Counselors to Support Mental Health

(Kuala Lumpur, 5th) Education Minister Fadhlina hopes that the upcoming budget to be tabled by the Prime Minister will include the "Safe School Framework" submitted by the Ministry of Education. Under this framework, the ministry recommends a substantial increase in the number of counselors to strengthen the support system for mental health on campus.
She stated this during an anti-bullying event jointly organized by NGOs, Penang state government agencies, and the police at the Penang Land Aman Foundation on Sunday (5th).
Fadhlina said that her top priority upon becoming Education Minister was to revise and improve the guidelines on anti-bullying and sexual harassment in schools.
She said that the Ministry of Education introduced the "You Touch, You Go" policy, clearly expressing a zero-tolerance attitude towards violence and bullying.
She acknowledged that the current system still has room for improvement; therefore, the Ministry is actively promoting education reforms, planning to implement a brand-new curriculum framework in 2027, with "character education" included at its core. This will be advanced to 2026, encouraging parents and the community to participate in nurturing children's character.

Fadhlina said that the Ministry of Education is promoting school reforms to ensure campus safety and wellbeing. The ministry is working with the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess the state of safety and wellbeing in schools.
"We have launched a nationwide safety inspection of boarding schools. So far, inspections of 700 schools have been completed, and a full report is expected to be released in a month or two."
She also said the ministry, together with the Prime Minister's Department (Legal and Institutional Reform), has held an "Anti-Bullying Bill Framework Town Hall Meeting" to clarify the definition of bullying, standard operating procedures, early intervention and psychological protection for minors, among others.
She said, we should not only use harsh measures such as suspension or expulsion to punish students with disciplinary issues but should take a holistic approach to student development and opportunities. The ministry upholds guiding students through education.

At a press conference, when responding to the recent incident in Johor where a 16-year-old student suddenly died during the national boarding school rugby championship, Fadhlina said that the Ministry will strengthen safety management, make corresponding preparations depending on the sport, including equipping medical teams, and will continue to remind students and coaches to pay attention to safety.
"We have announced the suspension of the relevant competition in mourning for the deceased and support for the family. The competition is expected to resume in January next year."
Concerning the recent increase in flu cases among students and some schools requiring students to wear masks, Fadhlina said the Ministry is still waiting for the latest guidelines from the Health Ministry and will fully cooperate in implementing them.
In addition, regarding the statement from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) that there were 697 reported cases of child abuse in Penang as of August this year, Fadhlina stressed that even if only one child is affected, society must take it seriously and take collective responsibility to protect children.
"I call on the public to pay attention to child abuse issues, to proactively report and protect these children. We also need to establish more systematic mechanisms to protect children."