KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has confirmed that 104 out of nearly 500 students who cross the Sungai Golok via illegal crossing to attend school in Rantau Panjang are under its care.
Therefore, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said several mechanisms have already been established and are under consideration to address the issue, ensuring that these students' access to education is not disrupted and their safety is guaranteed.
She said the first step being taken by the ministry is to hold discussions with the student's guardians to place them in hostels, and this must be resolved before the beginning of next month.
"I see placing them in hostels as an initial action following discussions at the ministry level and regarding safety. That is what we are recommending," she said.
"We have identified these students and have followed up. The first step is discussions with their guardians to place them in hostels. This needs to be expedited to ensure that the safety concerns raised by the security authorities are addressed before Dec 1. We must resolve it," she said.
She spoke to the press after launching the 2024 National-level 'Kit Duta Sahsiah' at the HGH Convention Centre here today.
Also present were Education director-general Azman Adnan, and Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad.
Elaborating on the plan to provide hostel accommodation for these students, Fadhlina instructed Azman to ensure that the Kelantan State Education Department identifies suitable hostels for them.
She stressed that the hostel issue must be resolved immediately to ensure that no safety concerns arise after Dec 1.
"God willing, with our efforts and actions, I hope this can be resolved because the number of students under the ministry is not large," she added.
Touching on the second proposed mechanism, Fadhlina said it involves introducing passes for the students' use when crossing the border.
"There may still be some who need passes to cross the Sungai Golok. However, we have also taken firm action to ensure that if they need to cross, they must use a valid route and a legitimate pass," she said.
"At the ministry, this is a very important and significant action we are taking to ensure that, first, their access to education can continue, and second, their safety is maintained," she added.