THE arrest of a school bus driver allegedly filming students inappropriately, the sudden death at an unregistered childcare facility and the raid on welfare homes where vulnerable children were subjected to physical and sexual abuse has left us in shock.
These cases highlight the urgent need to re-examine the safety mechanisms in place for children under institutional care.
I would like to strongly advocate for the introduction of mandatory criminal background checks and psychological evaluations for anyone wishing to work with children in any capacity — in schools, childcare centres, orphanages or transportation services.
These checks must be thorough, ensuring that individuals with questionable or dangerous backgrounds are barred from positions of trust and authority over children.
Furthermore, we must invest in the robust enforcement of a national registration system for all childcare facilities and any institutions where children will be taken care of. This should be non-negotiable. The fact that unregistered facilities still operate, often without scrutiny, is deeply concerning.
Children deserve the security of being in licensed, monitored environments where their safety is a priority. It is important to note that there are already several policies in place which must be supported and strengthened.
For instance, the Child Act 2001 is instrumental in providing a legal framework for the protection and care of children. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 has also been a significant step forward in addressing crimes of sexual exploitation.
These laws have paved the way for more accountability and should continue to be upheld.
The Child Care Centre Act 1984 and its subsequent amendments set out requirements for the registration and inspection of childcare centres, but we must ensure strict enforcement and regular inspections to maintain their efficacy.
Enforcement needs to be consistent, transparent and stringent. Random inspections, continuous monitoring and immediate punitive action against any facility found to be non-compliant should be implemented.
Alongside these measures, government support in educating parents and caregivers about choosing only registered and certified facilities is critical.
These measures will not only safeguard the physical wellbeing of our children but also ensure their emotional and psychological health as they grow in environments where they feel safe and valued.
DR ALIYYAH MOHAMMAD KHUZAINI
Medical Lecturer and Paediatrician,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia