Ministry, Unesco to tackle student indiscipline
THE Education Ministry is collaborating with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on a pilot project aimed at addressing disciplinary issues in schools.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said five Malaysian schools would be involved in the pilot project, under the “Preventing Violent Extremism Through Education” programme, which would be carried out in three years beginning next year.
He said through the collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP), the ministry hoped to come up with a holistic solution on problematic students involved in disciplinary problems, bullying and gangsterism.
He said besides Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Kenya had been selected by MGIEP for the programme.
“Through the programme, students will be trained to develop critical inquiry, empathy, compassion and mindfulness.
“Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR) in Ipoh, Perak, has volunteered to join the project, while the other four schools will be selected by the ministry,” Mahdzir said at the 39th Unesco general assembly here.
He said the matter was decided during a meeting with MGEIP director Dr Anantha K. Duraiappah.
Mahdzir said through the collaboration, MGEIP would help identify the problem and connection between students, schools and the environment, and the disciplinary issue and violence in schools.
“We will study findings from the project and if the method used is suitable in addressing the problem, we will adopt it into our education system. This is one of the ministry’s initiatives but, at the same time, we are looking at other methods to address the issue.”
Mahdzir said STAR administrators and an officer from the ministry had attended a workshop for the programme in New Delhi in August, where they were briefed on the programme.
It was reported in August that the ministry had identified 402 schools as hotspots for disciplinary and drugs problems.
Mahdzir yesterdayreceived a courtesy visit from Pakistani Education and Professional Training Minister Muhammad Baligh-Ur-Rahman at the sidelines of the Unesco general assembly where they exchanged ideas on education and technical training in both countries.