Kuching: DAPSY Sarawak Secretary George Lam has urged the Ministry of Education (MOE) to strengthen collaboration between schools and parents, highlighting that a lack of communication and understanding between both parties is undermining children’s holistic development.
Lam said both school education and parental involvement play equally vital roles in shaping a child’s growth.
However, he pointed out that many parents remain unaware of what their children experience in school, while teachers often have little insight into students’ lives at home.
“This disconnect can cause children to develop dual personalities, behaving differently at school and at home, making it difficult for adults to truly understand their inner world,” he said in a statement.
His remarks come following the recent tragedy in Selangor, where a 14-year-old male student fatally stabbed a 16-year-old female schoolmate in school.
He has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragedy and described the incident as “heartbreaking.”
Lam said it highlights the growing lack of coordination between the MOE and parents in guiding and nurturing children, particularly in addressing their emotional and mental development.
“I wish to express my concern through this statement in response to the tragic incident that has shaken our nation. Yesterday’s case marks at least the fifth serious school-related tragedy this year.
“From the shocking student death in Sabah, two cases of primary school students found dead within school compounds in Peninsular Malaysia, the recent gang rape case involving secondary students in Melaka, and now this fatal stabbing.
“These are tragedies that should never have happened, yet they continue to take place within spaces that are supposed to be safe for our children to learn and grow,” he said.
He said such incidents have caused widespread anxiety among parents and teachers alike.
“Parents send their children to school hoping they will be in a secure environment to learn and thrive. However, with such alarming incidents recurring, society naturally feels anxious and distressed.
“Students, teachers, and parents alike are now questioning whether our schools remain a truly safe space for our children,” Lam said.
Lam also attributed part of the problem to changing family dynamics and modern pressures, where many working parents rely heavily on schools and tuition centres to manage their children’s education.
“As a result, children often spend little meaningful time with their parents, leading to a disconnect in understanding their emotional well-being,” he said.
He further warned that the early introduction of mobile phones and unsupervised access to online content may negatively influence children’s psychological development.
“Some children, after being deprived of sufficient attention, may even develop the misconception that committing extreme acts is the only way to gain notice or validation,” Lam cautioned.
He urged parents to maintain active communication with their children, especially during their teenage years, stressing that parental involvement does not mean interference.
“Even simple conversations during daily school drop-offs and pick-ups can help parents better understand their child’s emotional state,” he said.
He also called on the MOE to develop a more holistic framework that promotes regular and structured communication between schools and parents.
“At present, communication between schools and parents focuses mainly on academic performance, with little attention given to emotional or psychological development.
“It is time for the MOE to establish a more holistic framework that promotes regular and structured communication between schools and parents — to jointly monitor and support students’ overall well-being, not just their grades,” he said.
Lam concluded by urging both the Ministry and parents to work hand in hand to restore schools as safe environments for learning.
“Children are the future of our society. Every tragedy should serve as a painful reminder for reflection. Only through stronger partnership between families and the education system can we prevent similar tragedies and restore our schools as truly safe havens for our children to grow and learn,” he said.
