19/02/2025

WEDNESDAY | FEB 19, 2025

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Spare the rod, guide the child

He said research also suggests that children who experience frequent physical punishment are more likely to resort to violence when dealing with conflicts in their adult lives. Instead of relying on punishment, Anuar advocates early intervention and guidance. “Rather than waiting for students to misbehave and then punishing them, we should identify the root causes of their misbehaviour. Many students act out due to personal or family issues. If we catch the warning signs early, such as declining grades or frequent absenteeism, we can guide them before they go down the wrong path.” Anuar said most Malaysian teachers are trained in child psychology and discipline management but in schools with thousands of students, there may only be one or two counsellors, which is insufficient. He proposed that the Education

Ministry appoint mobile counsellors who could visit multiple schools, particularly those with high disciplinary issues. “We need more professionally trained counsellors instead of teachers acting as counsellors so students feel safe enough to open up about their struggles. Instead of just punishing students, teachers should work with parents to understand what’s happening at home. Parent teacher meetings should focus not just on academics but also on student well-being.” While corporal punishment is still allowed in Malaysian schools under strict regulations in which only headmasters or authorised teachers can administer it, Anuar believes it is time to move on. “We should be raising a society that is non-violent, empathetic and understanding. If we want a violence free future, we have to stop hitting our children today.”

a notable improvement from its 29th spot in 2022. In Malaysia, AI literacy is unevenly distributed across different demographics, with many underserved communities, including rural students, indigenous groups and lower-income populations still facing limited access to AI training. The digital divide poses challenges such as poor internet connection and lack of digital literacy programmes, slowing down the region’s ambitions to become a premier AI hub. The AI Ready Asean programme, launched in October 2024, aims to equip 5.5 million individuals with essential AI skills over the next 2.5 years, supported by a US$5 million (RM22.23 million) grant from Google.org. The convention also included hands on masterclasses and a visit to Google Indonesia’s office, offering participants deeper insights into AI applications and machine learning. He said as more countries ban corporal punishment in schools, Malaysia faces a crucial decision whether to embrace a more progressive and compassionate approach to discipline. SJK (T) Vivekananda science teacher Thenmoly Rajan said while the cane was once effective, it now has more negative consequences. “It depends on the student. For some, it works. But for others, it creates fear and resentment,” she said, adding that she manages misbehaviour with stern instructions, which students generally follow. However, she believes interaction is key and regularly checks on the well-being of her students, as emotional support is crucial. While Thenmoly sees counselling as effective for secondary students, she is sceptical about its impact on younger children. She said parents generally oppose caning but still expect teachers to be strict.

o Counselling and support advocated as caning causes low self-esteem, social withdrawal and aggression

KUALA Asean Foundation, supported by Google.org hosted the first Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready Asean event at its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia last week. Its executive director Dr Piti Srisangnam said with the AI Ready Asean programme, the foundation is dedicated to helping young people, teachers and families across the region, making sure no one is left behind as AI evolves. “As we move into a future shaped by new ideas and technology, it’s important that every community, no matter where they are, has the knowledge and skills to succeed in the age of AI. “By working together, we can close the gap in access to technology and help everyone in Asean benefit fully from AI.” During the event, policymakers, AI practitioners and local implementing LUMPUR: The PETALING JAYA: For decades, the swish of the cane echoed through Malaysian schools, a stark reminder of the “spare the rod and spoil the child” belief in education. But Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad said corporal punishment is not only outdated but also psychologically damaging to students. “Corporal punishment does not instil discipline, it imprints fear which can turn into stress, depression and even long-term psychological problems. Students who are Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com Ű BY HASHINI K. KANNAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

partners (LIP) from across Asean discussed regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating responsible AI adoption. The LIP from Malaysia are the Universiti Teknologi Petronas Asean Student Association and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah. The programme supports Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap and focuses on closing the AI literacy gap in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, AI literacy is expanding through government initiatives and private sector collaborations. The “AI Untuk Rakyat” (AI for the People) programme, a free online course to increase AI literacy, and the “Cikgu Juara Digital” programme, which empowers teachers with the skills to teach AI and coding, are central to Malaysia’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive AI adoption nationwide. The Education Ministry also promotes frequently caned may grow up believing that physical violence is a solution to their problems,” he said. Anuar emphasised the belief that physical punishment leads to repentance is misguided, as there are many cases of students continuing to misbehave even after multiple punishments. “For some, the embarrassment of being caned in front of their peers leads to disengagement, a drop in academic performance and absenteeism. Studies show that corporal punishment can cause students to develop low self-esteem, social withdrawal and in extreme cases, aggression.”

Regional initiative to bridge AI gap

The programme supports Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap and focuses on closing the AI literacy gap in Southeast Asia. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Hour of Code, a worldwide programme introducing students to basic coding and AI concepts, encouraging computational thinking and problem-solving skills

among young learners. In the Government AI Readiness 2024 Index, Malaysia ranked second in Asean behind Singapore and 24th globally,