Education advocates are raising the alarm, urging for stringent tracking of Malaysian children to ensure they attend formal primary schools, whether public or private. This call comes in the wake of the Johor police station attack on May 17, where a man allegedly without formal education assaulted a police station in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
The Johor Police Station Attack: A Wake-Up Call
Source: CNA
The assailant from Kampung Sungai Tiram, involved in the Johor police station attack, was from a remote settlement whose members kept away from the surrounding community.
One resident claimed that the assailant and his three siblings had no formal schooling and were educated by their father, who is purportedly linked with the Jemaah Islamiyah extremist group.
The attack resulted in the death of the assailant, two policemen, and injuries to another officer, leading to the detention of five family members for questioning.
The Importance of Formal Education
Experts emphasize that the Malaysian government compels primary education, and parents must register homeschooled children with District Education Offices (PPD). This registration ensures that parents provide children with a solid grounding in basic subjects and do not expose them to inappropriate content.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin highlighted that the PPD already oversees homeschool syllabuses to guarantee educational standards.
“If the parents did not register with the PPD, then it is a question of monitoring all registrations. There should be a system to monitor whether all children receive formal education since it is already compulsory by law,” said Mr. Mak.
The Role of the Education Ministry
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, who heads the Parent Action Group for Education (Page), echoed these views, stressing the need for strict enforcement. “Whether parents choose to homeschool their children, there needs to be an avenue to inform the Education Ministry. Impose a penalty if parents fail to do so,” she said.
As required by the Education Ministry, Malaysian parents must enroll their six-year-old children in primary school and ensure they complete Year One to Six.
However, homeschooling requires ministry approval, adherence to the national curriculum, and regular inspections by education authorities. Moreover, failure to provide primary education can result in a fine of up to RM5,000 (S$1,400) or six months’ jail.
Monitoring and Accountability
Source: The Strait Times
Mr. Mak from Magpie acknowledged the challenges in rigorously monitoring children’s education, especially as families often move away from their place of birth.
“The onus is still on the parents. If the parents are responsible, they need to register their children for primary school, and the same thing applies to homeschooling,” he said.
Page’s Ms. Azimah, however, pointed out that agencies such as the Welfare Department and the Education Department still have a role to play. They must ensure that every Malaysian child in their records is registered either in a formal institution or has applied to be homeschooled.
“Once the state Education Department has a record, the PPD should be made responsible to ensure standards are met. The ministry could even impose the need for official approval to proceed with the parents’ form of homeschooling,” she said.
Source: Google Maps
Conclusion
The tragic Johor police station attack underscores the critical need for comprehensive monitoring of children’s education in Malaysia. Parents must take responsibility for registering their children for primary school or homeschooling, ensuring they receive a proper education. By doing so, we can prevent exposure to inappropriate content and foster a safer, more educated society.
Parents, let’s ensure our children’s future by adhering to the compulsory education laws. Register your children with the PPD, whether for formal schooling or homeschooling. Together, we can build a brighter, safer future for our children and our community.
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