KUALA LUMPUR — The Education Ministry must urgently strengthen its policies, legal framework, and ground-level support systems to better protect teachers, the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) said today.
The call comes in the wake of a shocking incident involving a 14-year-old student who was arrested for allegedly punching and threatening his teacher at a secondary school in Kajang on July 28.
Police said the incident began when the male teacher reprimanded the student for skipping Physical Education class, which escalated into a physical assault.
A 39-second video of the altercation, now widely circulated on social media, shows the student striking the teacher in front of other pupils in a classroom.
The student was arrested the same day and remanded for two days. He later appeared in the Kajang Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 of the Penal Code. Sentencing is expected soon.
Speaking to Scoop, PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the incident reflects a growing disciplinary crisis in schools, where teachers are increasingly vulnerable to aggression and disrespect.
“Student behaviour has become more challenging, and the current disciplinary systems are no longer effective in addressing such issues,” she said.
“The Ministry of Education needs to buck up and strengthen its policies, legal frameworks, and on-ground support systems to better protect teachers.”
Azimah called for outdated guidelines to be updated and for teachers to be empowered with clearer authority supported by legal provisions, balanced with oversight to prevent misuse.
“Teachers need clearer authority backed by law — but with proper checks and balances,” she said. “Many of the rules we have today have not kept pace with changes in student behaviour.”
She also urged the government to review the Education Act to reflect the present-day realities faced by educators in classrooms.
Among her proposals were the reinstatement of structured disciplinary measures, such as detention, suspension, or school-based community service, to instil accountability among students.
“Right now, the lack of real consequences sends the wrong message,” she said.
Azimah also highlighted the need for stronger parental involvement, noting that some parents are either disengaged or overly defensive when schools attempt to discipline their children.
“It’s difficult for schools to act effectively when parents themselves don’t support the rules,” she added.
In addition to disciplinary action, she proposed mandatory counselling or psychological assessments for students involved in violent incidents.
“We can’t just punish the act, we need to understand what caused it.”
She further suggested that placing police or safety officers in high-risk schools could help deter violent incidents and ensure a swift response when needed.
“The ministry needs to stop brushing these issues aside,” she said. “It’s time to show real commitment to protecting educators and restoring respect in our schools.”
Earlier this week, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said her ministry would allow police to handle the criminal aspect of the case while reviewing disciplinary procedures at the school level.
She also gave an assurance that counselling and emotional support would be provided to the affected teacher, and instructed the school and District Education Office to implement intervention programmes to ensure the safety and well-being of the school community. — August 2, 2025