TAWAU: Two cases involving fights and rioting among secondary school students, here, which led to those involved being remanded, are being handled by the authorities.
Sabah Education Department Director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the students who have since been released on police bail are continuing to attend school as usual.
He said it is the responsibility of schools to ensure that every student continues to receive education and guidance, subject to developments in the cases and any appropriate disciplinary action.
“We do not simply expel or suspend students. However, suspension from school does not mean a student is expelled because they are entitled to appeal.
“Suspension is one form of disciplinary action intended to serve as a warning and a learning experience, while giving students an opportunity to change their behaviour, as every act of misconduct carries its own consequences,” he said.
On July 5, Daily Express reported that 10 secondary students were remanded four days to assist investigations into the assault of a student who was attacked by a group while on his way to Friday prayers at Masjid Merotai Besar.
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On July 15, it was reported that another eight secondary students were remanded for two days to assist investigations into a fight and riot near a row of shops close to a school along Jalan Apas.
It was believed to have been triggered by the circulation of AI-generated sexual images and videos.
Raisin said the objective of the education system is not to destroy a student’s future but to create awareness and encourage positive behavioural changes.
Commenting further, he said the department and the schools involved had provided full cooperation to the authorities in carrying out investigations and taking appropriate action in the recent cases in Tawau.
At the same time, he urged the public to understand the distinction between misconduct committed within school premises and offences committed outside school grounds.
“If an offence occurs within the school compound, it is the school’s responsibility to take disciplinary action and manage the situation.
“However, if it takes place outside the school, such as in plantations, towns or other public areas, it involves not only school disciplinary matters but also violations of the country’s laws,” he said.
As such, Raisin said teachers and school authorities should not be solely blamed when incidents occur outside school premises.
He added that cooperation between schools and the police continues to be strengthened through police liaison officers assigned to schools, while the community also plays an important role in addressing negative social behaviour involving students outside school.
Responding to remarks by a leading counsel of the late Zara Qairina’s inquest, Sabah senior lawyer Datuk Ram Singh regarding another bullying case involving three male students who were brought before the a Child court in Papar, Raisin said the department had conducted its own investigation and prepared a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for further action.
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