MAY 14 — The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (“the Commission”) welcomes the recent proposal by the Ministry of Education Malaysia that schools will be given more authority in managing and addressing disciplinary issues among students as part of an amendment to the Education (School Discipline) Regulations 1959.
However, the Commission is deeply concerned that such methods will include corporal punishment, particularly since the Child (Amendment) Bill 2015 now substitutes the punishment of whipping on male child offenders with community service instead.
The Commission is of the view that there is a mistaken belief held not only by individuals, but is also widespread in various societies and endorsed at Government level that corporal punishment is an effective form of discipline for children. Read more