by Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 25: A total of 18 schools across Sarawak will receive closed-circuit television systems under a RM270,000 allocation channelled to the Sarawak Education Department, marking the first phase of a surveillance-driven effort to curb bullying and strengthen student safety in the State.
Deputy Minister of Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said each school has been allocated RM15,000 for the installation of the systems, which form part of a nationwide RM8 million initiative to enhance safety infrastructure in educational institutions.
“The installations are intended to improve monitoring and provide greater oversight within school compounds, particularly in areas vulnerable to discipline issues and safety risks,” he said in response to a question from Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Yang during the Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
The beneficiary institutions are Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Saratok, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Miri, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Igan, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Matang 2, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Sibu, Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sains Kuching, Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sains Miri, Bintulu Vocational College, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Semop, Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Hj Abdullah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Mukah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kapit, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sri Matang, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sadong Jaya, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ng Antaroh, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Three Rivers, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Suai and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tatau.
He added that the limited rollout underscores the need for broader coverage across Sarawak, noting that Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) will apply to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for additional funds to expand CCTV installations in subsequent phases.
The initiative reflects a shift towards digital surveillance as a complementary tool in school governance, supporting traditional disciplinary measures and student welfare systems.
However, no details on the timeline and scope of the next CCTV rollout have not been released by the ministry. —DayakDaily
