7 Apr 2009

Bernama

THE use of the cane in school and the appointment of permanent hostel wardens will be revived to tackle disciplinary problems among students, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said yesterday.

He said this had been decided at a meeting of the Education Ministry's disciplinary board on March 17.

"The ministry will re-enforce the Education (School Discipline) Regulations 1959 to enable the use of the cane and this time we will issue specific procedures to implement the punishment," he said in reply to a question from Senator Fatimah Hamat.

"This includes who can be given the power to cane, besides informing the parents beforehand when the punishment is to be meted out."

The meeting also decided to appoint permanent wardens for hostels and their main task would be to maintain discipline among students. Wee said at present teachers were appointed as hostel wardens and given an allowance of RM250 a month to do the job. "The permanent wardens will be appointed from among staff of the ministry who have been trained in counselling work and have skills in psychology. They will be on duty 24 hours at the hostels," he added.

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