A group of protestors have called for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to either shape up or risk being shipped out from her position if she fails to address longstanding school safety issues.
Sinar Harian reported that the group consisted of students, activists and members of the public who marched from Taman Tugu and gathered outside Parliament at around 11.20am yesterday (Oct 22).
‘Reform or resign!’
After 40 minutes of waiting, Fadhlina met the protestors outside Parliament and was accompanied by her Deputy, Wong Kah Woh, several security officers and ministry officials.
She was then handed a memorandum by student activist and Pocket of Pink founder Ain Husniza while shouts of ‘Turun! Turun!’ could be heard in the background.
However, Fadhlina did not address members of the media after receiving the memorandum.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the memorandum outlined 11 demands, which include the following:
- Enacting an anti-bullying law
- Establishing legislation to address sexual harassment in schools
- Providing psychological and social support
- Creating child-friendly reporting channels
- Conducting school safety inspections
- Implementing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education
- Conducting regular mental health assessments for students and teachers
- Integrating mental health and emotional intelligence education into school curriculum
- Establishing school safety committees
- Promoting community-based education programs
Ain Husniza later told reporters that Fadhlina only had 30 days to implement the reforms, adding that she must resign should she fail to do so.
If she’s unable to do this, she must resign and allow someone who’s capable to take over the Education Ministry (MOE) in order to restore public confidence in the national education system.
“She promised to fulfill our demands. We don’t want empty promises — we want real reform!”
Widespread dissatisfaction
Ever since being at the helm, Fadhlina has been facing intense heat over her apparent failure to address and curb increasing cases of bullying and violence at schools.
Among the high-profile cases that occurred under her watch were that of Zara Qairina, who died at her Sabah hostel due to alleged bullying, and Yap Shing Xuen, who was stabbed to death by a 14-year-old schoolmate.
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