03/11/2025

First page Previous page 10 Next page Last page

MONDAY | NOV 3, 2025

Restoring direction in schools

COMMENT by Dr Zaamah Mohd Nor

T HE nation was recently shaken by reports of a 14 year-old boy murdering a 16 year-old girl during school hours, a tragedy that defies our comprehension. This and some other alarming cases of bullying, violence and sexual assaults in schools have made us wonder what has gone wrong with the moral and psychological states of our young ones. We can no longer treat these incidents as isolated cases; they are symptoms of deeper issues and systemic problems that ought to be addressed. Social media is among the strongest influences today, which – for all its benefits – has become an unchecked realm for exposure to violence, explicit content and unhealthy social comparison. A nationwide study found that many Malaysian adolescents spend excessive hours on their phones, leading to addiction that interferes with sleep, focus and emotional stability. The study highlights that prolonged screen time is not just a lifestyle issue but a growing public health concern affecting students’ mental and social well-being. In addition, another research revealed a strong connection between social media addiction and symptoms of depression among adolescents in Malaysia. While digital platforms and social media could have become young people’s primary source of validation and inspiration, addiction

can heighten feelings of isolation, comparison, anxiety, confusion and emotional numbness. Addiction to violent games, for example, may lead to physical and emotional distress. If left unmonitored, children may neglect eating and sleeping, becoming easily angered when they lose and distracted or withdrawn. Worse still, such exposure can indoctrinate vulnerable minds, normalising aggression and blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The boy in the recent case reportedly mentioned some characters and names in his notes, most likely driven by the games he played and the names linked to the school shootings abroad. This is a grim reminder of how deeply horrifying such influences can take root. Parents can play a vital role in controlling children’s use of gadgets. They must also be as observant of their children’s mental and emotional well-being as they are of their physical health. Above all, communication is key. Besides having daily small talks with them, it is also crucial to constantly listen and understand what they are going through, who they are connecting with and what they are watching online. Subtle signs of anxiety, withdrawal, irritability or any switch of routine should never be ignored. Alertness and prompt actions taken by parents at home could be a lifesaver, manifesting the saying “prevention is

exam stress and shift the paradigm towards a less exam-oriented society. Unfortunately, it has also eliminated essential milestones that once gave children a sense of purpose and direction. Without major centralised examinations, children tend to drift through school without clear goals, spending more time virtually than on their textbooks. Returning major examinations to the system is not to create competitive pressure but rather to restore students’ sense of target and pride in learning; a reflection of academic capabilities and discipline. What needs to change is the syllabus, which is too often heavy and unrealistic for students’ cognition. Certain subject content can be revisited to match students’ cognitive level, refocusing on life skills, effective communication and critical thinking. Our children are coming of age in an increasingly challenging and possibly confusing world without borders, even within their confined bedrooms. The moral, psychological and physical well-being of our future generation is evidently at stake. Shocking tragedies involving school children are a warning sign that calls for collaborative actions from parents, educators, society and policymakers in redirecting them back to the right, safer path. Dr Zaamah Mohd Nor is a senior lecturer at Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Parental role is vital in controlling children’s use of gadgets. – A D I B RAWI YAHYA /THE SUN

proposed, is not a desirable solution. It is rather impulsive and impractical, considering the many subjects schools already have at present. Instead, we should empower the existing Islamic education and moral studies. These subjects already aim to nurture positive values and ethics, hence, they can be revised, enhanced and delivered with sincerity, integrated with pertinent, real-life issues faced by students. One useful content would be to create awareness about the laws against criminal offences and the serious consequences they will face if involved. Bringing back major national examinations can be impactful in recalibrating our education system. The abolition of UPSR and PT3 may have been well-intentioned to reduce

better than cure”. Nevertheless, as children’s second home, schools cannot escape from shouldering part of the responsibility. There have to be restrictions on the use of digital devices in schools, allowing them only for certain purposes. There is also a need to reinforce firm disciplinary measures, including caning. It is not an outdated or irrelevant form of punishment and it is timely for teachers to be given back authorisation to discipline students. When handled with care, judiciously and with proper guidelines, caning can be a deterrent against more serious misconduct, helping to build a student’s character. Introducing a new subject for character development, or Pendidikan Karakter , as recently

only

TUESDAY APR 22, 2025

RM1

SCAN ME

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: lifestyle@thesundaily.com

0DOD\VLDQ 3DSHU www.thesun.my RM1.00 PER COPY ‘Be more transparent in monitoring internet quality’ Time for MCMC to adopt data-driven strategy to thoroughly investigate, validate public complaints, says expert.

TUESDAY | APR 22, 2025

Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

!! ˖ MONDAY Technology and social media

Pope Francis dies at age 88

TUESDAY Family and parenting WEDNESDAY Fashion and beauty

THURSDAY Home and living

First Latin American pontiff’s death comes a day after he made his first prolonged public

SCAN ME No. 8768 PP 2644/12/2012 (031195)

FRIDAY Travel and leisure

Time-off for parents ¡å å êê

SATURDAY Food and beverage

appearance following a serious bout of double pneumonia.

Report on T

NGO takes 4PAWS plight to Penang govt – 1 2 3RF P I C

page 4

Report on T

Non-profit animal shelter with 700 dogs faces eviction as the land it occupies is up for sale.

page 7

Report on T

page 5

per copy

Call for Seni Citi SYMBOL OF P Kebangsaan Con badge Ministry’s initiative AMA A

SYMBOL OF PATRIOTISM ... Students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Jalan Peel show their Jalur Gemilang badge yesterday at the launch of Education Ministry’s initiative to instil patriotic spirit in young Malaysians. – A D AM AMIR HAMZAH/THE SUN