PETALING JAYA: It is the responsibility of the education ministry and state religious authorities to ensure no children are abused in schools, said Suhakam’s children’s commissioner Noor Aziah Mohd Awal.
She said the death of a seven-year-old boy at a tahfiz centre in Pahang on Thursday was yet another case in a series of tragedies related to students at such religious schools.
“It is incumbent upon everyone to ensure that all children are protected from violence and abuse. Schools should be safe spaces and the rights of children must be fully protected and respected,” she said in a statement.
She said all tahfiz schools, whether they are registered or not, must be closely monitored, not only for the quality of education, but also for safety and security.
“The monitoring of religious schools is not something that is unprecedented, as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) and Sekolah Agama Bantuan Kerajaan (SABK) are registered with the education ministry.”
Aziah said she was encouraged by the call by the education minister earlier this year urging all tahfiz schools across the country to register with the ministry.
More than 4,000 Islamic religious schools have also been registered with the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim), with an estimated 200 still yet to be registered.
“Nevertheless, all schools, whether religious in nature or otherwise, must be registered with the government, as education falls under the purview of the federal government, as provided for by Item 13 of the Federal List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.”
Aziah hoped a thorough investigation is made into the death of the tahfiz student.
She strongly advocated that tahfiz schools be regulated by the federal and state governments in order to prevent future tragedies from occurring. - FMT
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