Review informal boarding school discipline, Suhakam urges ministry

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the education ministry to review informal disciplinary practices at boarding schools following a case in which a Form 2 student died after being assaulted by a senior for allegedly breaking school rules.

Suhakam’s children’s commissioners said practices such as senior students punishing juniors, student-imposed physical punishment, informal “student courts”, fines or penalties, humiliation, degrading treatment and other coercive measures should be audited.

“This should be undertaken as a preventive measure, without prejudging the present case,” the commissioners said in a statement.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Alzafny Ahmad yesterday said a preliminary investigation revealed that the Form 4 student arrested in connection with the 14-year-old’s death was believed to have reprimanded and “punished” the victim for his “offence”.

The victim, Idlan Fareeq Shahril, was found unconscious in the dormitory of a sports school in Kuala Pilah. He was rushed to Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police are investigating the incident for murder.

The Suhakam children’s commissioners said students must never be given, or assume for themselves, the authority to punish other students.

“Student leaders may appropriately remind fellow students of school or hostel rules, serve as positive role models, assist with appropriate monitoring, encourage compliance and report suspected misconduct to teachers, wardens or the appropriate school authorities.

“However, they must not conduct their own investigation, determine that another student is guilty, devise or impose their own punishment, use physical force, threaten or intimidate another student, humiliate or coerce another child, or take any disciplinary action into their own hands.”

The commissioners also said school rules could not be enforced through students taking the law into their own hands against other children.

They said every student, including those alleged to have breached school rules, remained a child entitled to safety, dignity and fair treatment, in line with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The commissioners also urged the ministry to review student leadership terms of reference across boarding schools to ensure clear definitions of their roles to remind, monitor and report, with punishments strictly prohibited.

It urged the ministry to issue a clear nationwide reminder that prefects, dormitory leaders and other student leaders have no independent authority to impose or administer disciplinary punishment against other students.

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