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Mara to hire ex-military wardens at all MRSMs, to tackle psychological bullying next
Mara has confirmed that it will expand its experiment with hiring ex-military personnel to serve as wardens at Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) to all its campuses nationwide starting Jan 1, 2027.
It is also taking a step towards addressing psychological bullying, and not just physical violence...
Mara has confirmed that it will expand its experiment with hiring ex-military personnel to serve as wardens at Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) to all its campuses nationwide starting Jan 1, 2027.
It is also taking a step towards addressing psychological bullying, and not just physical violence.
This comes as Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki steps up efforts to prove his tough stance against bullying.
Mara began experimenting with hiring ex-security forces as MRSM wardens in April last year.
Fast forward to April this year, and a nine-month study involving two campuses by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) found positive results with the experiment - with reportedly no bullying incidents during that period.
Mara then hired ex-military wardens for eight MRSM campuses in June, as an initial step before expanding the staffing practice to all 58 campuses next January.
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In a statement today, Asyraf (above) said that the UPM study found, among others, that the systematic presence of wardens minimised the space for bullying and vandalism to occur, and that students were also more disciplined, well-mannered, and punctual, while also feeling safe.
The Umno leader said he has since asked UPM to prepare a training module for these new wardens, while also carrying out a study to tackle psychological bullying more holistically.
Renewed scrutiny
This comes amid renewed scrutiny of school safety following the death of a 14-year-old Form Two student at a school hostel in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan last Friday.
Police have classified the case as murder, while a 16-year-old Form Four student has been remanded for six days to assist investigations.
Media reports have cited allegations that bullying may have been involved, but police have yet to publicly establish this.
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In response to the incident, Asyraf had called for an end to movies and dramas depicting bullying, citing fears they could lead to copycat behaviour.
He also proposed seven “radical” measures to tackle bullying in schools. However, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said many of the proposals were already in place.
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The foolishness of it all. Thats all can be said. Not knowing the needs and want but only think of what you can deliver does not make sense.
To take care of children and teens? How many years of training in educational and youth psychology would people have? Are Malaysian education matters being handled solely by politicians and army types instead of getting professional help from educationist, sociologists and psychologists. Why do they keep making the same stupid choices despite the many dangers clearly posed by these choices?
This is an obvious sign that the system. Is failing.
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