Beefing up security at schools
Education Ministry told to double security guards in rural schools after recent abduction attempt of Year 5 boy
KUCHING: The recent attempted abduction of a Year 5 boy from SK Suri in Debak has prompted calls to the Education Ministry to seriously consider doubling the number of security guards in rural schools.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said increasing the number of guards at rural schools, from the current two to four, will go a long way in instilling confidence among staffers and students.
According to him, the July 25 incident has traumatised the students to the point where many have now opted to become day students.
“Many have left the hostel, and we are worried their education will be affected. The presence of extra security guards will inject confidence to the young students as they are still traumatised by the incident. The school compound is big and with only two guards. Whenever one falls sick, there will be only one person to look after the school,” he told The Borneo Post after chairing a meeting with the parent-teacher association of SK Suri on Saturday.
Uggah also revealed that he has approved a special allocation to immediately repair the school’s perimeter fencing. The intruder who attempted to abduct the boy
Many have left the hostel, and we are worried their education will be affected. The presence of extra security guards will inject confidence to the young students as they are still traumatised by the incident. The school compound is big and with only two guards. Whenever one falls sick, there will be only one person to look after the school. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Deputy Chief Minister
is thought to have entered the compound via a damaged section of the fence. He also said spotlights will be installed at blind spots while teachers will be staying with the children at the hostel to make them feel safer at night.
During the attempted abduction, the boy was brushing his teeth in the hostel bathroom when an armed man suddenly appeared and grabbed hold of him before trying to drag him out.
The boy, however, shouted to his hostel mates for help which prompted the intruder to let go and escape in a white four-wheel drive vehicle waiting outside.