Johor education dept offers counselling support after Irene Sofiya's death

BATU PAHAT: The Johor Education Department will provide psychological support to the family, teachers and friends of Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, 16, who was murdered at a secondary school in Yong Peng two days ago.

Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the move was aimed at ensuring their wellbeing and emotional state remained stable.

He said some of those affected were still traumatised by the incident.

He said the district education office and school principal had met the affected teachers and students for counselling sessions.

"School sessions are continuing as usual, and we will assess the situation on the first, third and seventh days, as well as monitor developments thereafter.

"The district education office will provide updates on the situation," he said after visiting the late student's family in Kampung Parit Selamat, Yong Peng, today.

At the same time, Naqib said the state government would work with the Education Ministry to find ways to strengthen security measures at schools.

"An initial step is to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, starting in this district.

"CCTV is important to help us monitor the situation if a tragedy occurs.

"Schools should be safe places, and everyone has a responsibility to look at this matter comprehensively instead of pointing fingers at one another.

"We want to ensure that security mechanisms and measures are always functioning effectively and are continuously improved.

"The state government is also working with the police, schools and parents to strengthen efforts to create a safe school environment for children," he said.

Irene Sofiya was found in critical condition before she was pronounced dead.

She was suspected to have been murdered after several injuries were found on her body.

Earlier, the victim's grandmother and aunt rushed to look for her after two of her friends went to the house asking about her whereabouts.

This was after only the victim's motorcycle was found on the school grounds.

Following the incident, Irene Sofiya's 16-year-old male classmate was arrested and remanded for six days from yesterday to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.