While education minister Fadhlina Sidek accurately stated that school caning was still legally allowed, current disciplinary frameworks are clearly falling short.
The regulations meant to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment have not prevented a severe decline in student behaviour, culminating in tragic instances of fatal school violence.
This crisis raises a critical question: have our existing school discipline rules completely failed?
The Education (School Discipline) Regulations 1959 of Malaysia governs student discipline and corporal punishment in public schools. The red tape that schools must comply with in using the cane makes caning totally useless.
