Crime rate among school students still low, under control: IGP

PUTRAJAYA: Despite the many reports on students' disciplinary issues, the crime rate involving schoolchildren was still low and under control, according to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
He said of the more than five million students in 10,200 primary and secondary schools nationwide, only about 1,000 students, or less than one per cent were involved in social ills and criminal acts.
"Based on the overall ratio of students, it is still under control, and all the actions taken (thus far) including having School Liaison Officers (SLO) is only to improve the situation," he told a press conference after the opening of a seminar on the development of students' values and character by Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid here today.
Mohamad Fuzi said the police and Education Ministry were working hand in hand to curb social problems and criminal activities among students.
He also urged schools not to hide any form of disciplinary misconduct just to protect the good name of the school, and allow the police, through the SLO to take the necessary course of action.
To further strengthen the disciplinary process and curb crime in school, including bullying and gangsterism, Mohamad Fuzi said police planned to place SLO in all schools nationwide in the future.
Due to the shortage in number, the SLO were unable to focus on all schools and were stationed only at 402 schools categorised as hotspots, as well as certain schools that had been identified of having cases of misconduct and disciplinary problems, he said.
The SLO initiative, which involves an officer and other policemen of various ranks, was created to monitor the safety and discipline of school students, and also as a mechanism to maintain communication between the police and the respective schools, besides formulating the best measures to address disciplinary problems in schools. — Bernama