School violence highlights urgent need for mental health support, says NUTP

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged schools to prioritise mental health and psychological readiness following two recent violent incidents involving secondary school students.

Its secretary-general, Fouzi Singon, said the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old girl by a 14-year-old schoolmate in Bandar Utama yesterday morning, and the gang rape of a Form 3 student in Melaka days earlier, point to deeper emotional and psychological issues that schools are ill-equipped to handle.

“Although such tragic incidents have occurred more frequently lately, overall student discipline remains under control. However, schools must always be more vigilant and responsive to the current situation,” said Fouzi.

He said a comprehensive study should be carried out by the Education Ministry and child psychologists to assess the emotional state and behaviour of students in schools.

Fouzi added that teachers must be alert to changes in student behaviour, while guidance and counselling teachers should receive continuous training in child and adolescent psychology to detect early signs of distress and respond appropriately.

The 14-year-old suspect in the fatal stabbing has been remanded for seven days, following an order issued today by the Petaling Jaya magistrate’s court. The suspects in the gang rape case were earlier remanded for six days, beginning Oct 11.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would address safety and disciplinary issues in schools, including those linked to social media use. He said the matter would be discussed in the Cabinet.

In a report byTwentytwo13yesterday, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye called for trained psychologists to be placed in schools, stressing their crucial role in providing students with a safe space to express themselves.

Fouzi said that when incidents occur that cause deep emotional impact or trauma, the Education Ministry’s Psychology and Counselling Section and the Counselling Unit of the Student Development Sector will mobilise their personnel to support the school community.

“However, many schools still lack structured preparedness for high-risk incidents,” he warned.

He suggested that schools develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for managing traumatic events, including contacting the authorities and deploying internal emotional support systems for students and staff.

“School leadership – including the principal, guidance and counselling teachers, and student affairs assistants – must act swiftly and calmly in any crisis,” said Fouzi.

“The relevant authorities must be contacted immediately, whether it’s the police, hospital, or the parents of those involved. An initial report must also be filed with the district and state education departments.”

Fouzi said ministries such as the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry often assist in post-trauma support, but the Education Ministry must take the lead in embedding mental health frameworks directly within schools.

“It is insufficient to respond solely to intellectual performance without understanding students’ true emotional states,” he said.

“Various methods could be explored to better support students in expressing their emotions and seeking help. Group counselling should be implemented more actively, allowing students to share their feelings with peers under the guidance of trained teachers.”

He also urged school management teams to learn from recent incidents and ensure that safety and emotional support mechanisms are in place.

In the event of serious incidents, Fouzi said teachers must remain composed and capable of managing both the situation and the emotional reactions of students, colleagues, and parents.

While many schools lack formal training in handling high-risk or violent situations, he said it is now crucial for all schools to establish clear crisis response procedures and emotional support protocols.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah yesterday called for a study on the effects of social media on students following the gang rape case.

In a Facebook post on the page of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, Raja Zarith Sofiah said she had asked Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to conduct the study and would assist in the matter.