Problematic students may be sent to prison for rehab

THE Education Ministry is considering a proposal to send students with serious disciplinary problems for rehabilitation in lockups or prisons.

Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said his ministry is discussing with the Prisons Department to determine the feasibility of the programme.

“We are fine-tuning the proposal and are in the process of getting feedback from teachers and parents,” he said to a question raised by Datuk Juslie Ajirol (BN-Libaran) in the Dewan Rakyat.

The current rehabilitation programme covers students who have been convicted of criminal offences.

A total of 640 students were undergoing the rehabilitation programme in eight prisons and four Henry Gurney reform schools, said Mahdzir.

There are five main disciplinary issues involving students that are of concern, namely gangsterism, bullying, drug abuse, truancy and crime-related matters.

“To date, 442 secondary students were expelled.

“There are 2,400 secondary schools in total nationwide,” Mahdzir said, adding expulsion was the last resort.

He said a recent study had identified hotspots in rural and urban areas where students had disciplinary problems.

Location and family background played a crucial role in determining the disciplinary aspect of a student, he said.