IPOH: The proposal to have a full-time warden at residential schools to tackle various problems including bullying will be studied, says Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

       However, he said the move is pending a full report on bullying cases including that involving Form One students at the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Kuala Kangsar near here.

       “Thank you for the views regarding this case. We need to wait for the report from relevant parties before taking any action.

       “The ministry will study the views further,” he told reporters after witnessing the oath-taking ceremony of the new leaders of the Perak Chinese School Boards Association here yesterday.

       National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang was reported as saying that it had raised the issue and presented the proposal many times before.

       Aminuddin was reported to have said that hostel wardens were appointed among teachers who also taught daily in schools and had the responsibility of looking after and supervising students all the time.

       Asked whether the ministry would hold a meeting with NUTP and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) regarding the proposal, Dr Mah said further actions would have to be based on the detailed report of bullying cases.

       So far, police have detained 10 students, after a group believed to be hostel students allegedly punched and kicked a peer.

       A recording of the incident, which took place between 1am and 2am on Dec 9, had gone viral.

       Several video clips lasting between 13 and 30 seconds showed a student being kicked in the back and punched several times.

       Meanwhile, Mah said further investigations were underway on another alleged bullying incident at a residential school in Pahang last Friday.

       He added that the ministry was waiting for the report regarding the matter.

       According to media reports, four 14-year-old students were allegedly locked in a room for two hours and beaten by eight seniors after the victims were found watching videos on a mobile phone.

       At yesterday’s event, Dr Mah said among the issues discussed were ways to ensure the strengthening and rehabilitation of learning and teaching in schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. — Bernama