Tenom: The Sabah State Education Department (JPNS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school safety and the well-being of the education community, in line with the safety reform currently being implemented by the Ministry of Education.
JPNS Director, Datuk Raisin Saidin, said the reform aims to ensure that the school ecosystem across the state remains safe, conducive, and supportive of the welfare of both educators and students.
“The Ministry is very firm in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in the school community. We are implementing immediate reforms to strengthen the safe school ecosystem through the involvement of multiple agencies and the community,” he said.
He said this when officiating the Majlis Sinergi Cemerlang Tenom 2025 at Dewan SJKC Chung Hwa, which was attended by more than 480 education personnel, including principals, headmasters, retirees, and recipients of excellence awards on Saturday.
Raisin explained that the current school safety reform focuses on six main components: strengthening mental health, reproductive and social health education, prohibition of harmful substances, child protection policy, psychosocial support for teachers and the implementation of the student voice initiative.
He said the effort aims to ensure that schools become learning institutions that are not only risk-free but also create a healthy, harmonious, and safe environment for both teachers and students.
He added that the implementation of this initiative involves collaboration with several ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Communications, and Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
In addition, the active involvement of the Parent-Teacher Association, Parent-Community Association and non-governmental organizations are crucial to ensure the success of the reform at the grassroots level.
“This integrated approach is important to ensure the physical, emotional, and mental safety of students, thus creating a more holistic and balanced learning environment,” he said.
He also added that KPM places strong emphasis on psychosocial support for teachers (Teacher Care and Support) to ensure educators remain well and able to perform effectively in an increasingly challenging work environment.
Furthermore, the implementation of ‘Student Voice’ will be expanded as a platform for students to express their views, aspirations, and real needs regarding issues in school, including well-being, safety, and social relationships.
“The student voice is the voice of conscience that must be heard because it is from there that we receive signals and guidance to improve the school environment for the better,” he explained.
Raisin also called on the education community across the state to remain committed to realizing the New Educational Landscape of Sabah, which is based on five key focuses: student-centred learning, safe and conducive schools, enhanced professionalism of teachers and administrators, inclusive education access, and the development of holistic Madani students.
He said this integrated effort is vital to ensure that Sabah’s education system remains competitive, balanced, and aligned with the needs of 21st-century education development.
In his speech, he also expressed appreciation to the Tenom District Education Office for successfully improving the district’s academic performance in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
Records show that the District Average Grade improved from 4.98 in 2023 to 4.85 in 2024, with a new target of 4.63 set for this year.
This success is the result of the Road to Singkowoton (RTS) 3.0 program, a high-impact academic intervention plan that combines data analysis, teacher guidance, student motivation, and community involvement.
“RTS 3.0 is not just an academic intervention but a long-term strategic plan that positions Tenom as a model high-performing district in Sabah’s interior,” he said.
The ceremony also celebrated recipients of the Excellent Service Award, MAPenS Award, MAKAHeBaT Award, Teacher Figure Award, and education retirees who have contributed significantly to the education sector in the district.
