Advocate calls for trained safety officers, psychologists in schools after fatal stabbing

A safety advocate has urged the government to introduce preventive safety measures in schools nationwide, following the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old student in a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, this morning.

The girl was allegedly stabbed by a 14-year-old boy within the school compound. The tragedy comes just days after a Form 3 student in Melaka was gang raped by four Form 5 students.

Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said schools must be environments where children feel safe and where learning, character building, and personal development can flourish.

“Some may say these are isolated cases, but the fact that they happened in school at all is deeply worrying,” said Lee.

He highlighted growing concerns over not just violent incidents but also troubling behavioural trends, such as students openly vaping – a habit that, if unchecked, could lead to more serious problems like drug abuse.

“We need to relook at our education system. It must be more than about academic achievement. We need to strengthen moral education, student discipline, school safety mechanisms, and understanding of right and wrong,” he said.

Lee called for the placement of trained psychologists in schools, stressing their vital role in providing students with a safe space to express themselves.

“Sometimes, all a student needs is someone to listen. We need a holistic approach that includes emotional and psychological wellbeing,” he said.

He also questioned whether preventive initiatives such as police liaison officer visits – once a common practice – were still being carried out consistently.

“If they are, how often? Their presence in schools can act as a deterrent,” he said.

To strengthen long-term safety frameworks, Lee proposed appointing a safety coordinator in every school – a professional tasked with developing, implementing, and managing safety and emergency preparedness plans.

He cited the death of a nine-year-old pupil who fell into an uncovered manhole at a school in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, as an example of a tragedy that could have been avoided if a safety coordinator had been in place.

Lee stressed that such responsibilities should not fall on teachers, who are already burdened with academic and administrative tasks. He called for structural reforms to ensure that safety and mental health are treated as integral parts of the education system.

The Education Ministry has since formed a special committee to investigate the incident. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said a team of counsellors had been mobilised to provide psychosocial support to the school community.

Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo expressed shock over the fatal stabbing.

Gobind, who is also the Digital Minister, said schools should be safe environments that nurture learning, growth, and friendship.

“While we allow the police to conduct their investigations, my office in Damansara is ready to assist the victim’s family. My team has been instructed to reach out and support them during this difficult time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said school safety in the state would be immediately enhanced.

“Schools are supposed to be the safest places for children. As a father to a daughter, I cannot imagine what the victim’s parents are going through, and I would like to extend my condolences to them,” he said in a statement today.

“We (the state government) will work with the police, Education Ministry, and local communities to strengthen safety in schools throughout Selangor. This will be a priority at our next state executive council meeting, alongside efforts to address students’ mental health and ensure the safety of all children in schools,” he added.