FIND ALTERNATIVE FORMULA TO TACKLE INDISCIPLINE AMONG STUDENTS - ASSOCIATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The National Union of the Teaching
Profession (NUTP) and National Parent-Teacher Associations Collaborative Council
hope that an alternative formula be found to deal with indisciplined students.

The two bodies also welcome the government's decision not to set up special
schools for problematic students.

NUTP president Hashim Adnan said schools should instead play a more
pro-active role in tackling the problem as they had the expert manpower to
monitor and deal with the situation.

"Each school has its own counsellor and discipline teacher. They have to
play an important role in addressing the problem. Building new schools (for
problematic students) may not be the answer," he said when contacted by Bernama
Monday.

Hashim said building such schools would require very careful considerations
in various aspects, including the financial allocation and placement of
teachers.

"In this time of economic downturn, how are we to find the money to
build
new schools for these students. Besides, not all teachers are willing to teach
in such schools when they know they have to face problematic students."

On March 28, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin said the government had no plans to set up special schools for
problematic students.

He said the best step would be a concerted effort by all concerned parties
in educating and creating awareness among the problematic students so that they
would realise the effects of their destructive behaviour.

Hashim said parents should also play their role in instilling and ensuring
discipline in their children as the latter spent more time at home compared with
six to seven hours at school each day.

National Parent-Teacher Associations Collaborative Council president, Assoc
Prof Dr Mohamad Ali Hassan, suggested that instead of special schools,
rehabilitation courses and personal development camps be organised for
problematic students.

"It will be good for them to be grouped together and given such courses
during the weekends or school holidays so as to give them a second chance and to
repent," he said when contacted.

"If special schools are set up for them, these may appear as schools for
wayward or bad kids. We should not separate them from the mainstream schools, as
another kind of problem may arise."

Mohamad Ali said the council welcomed any suitable programme undertaken by
the Education Ministry and was willing to provide support including expert
advice in tackling the problem.

-- BERNAMA