Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has responded calmly to mounting calls for her resignation, saying she sees them as motivation to work harder amid growing public concern over violent incidents in schools across Malaysia.
Speaking at a media briefing in Putrajaya, Fadhlina shared that criticism has always been part of her political journey and that she has learned to view it as an opportunity for growth rather than defeat. She acknowledged that she has weaknesses but stressed her commitment to doing her utmost to restore public confidence in the education system.
The minister revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had personally advised her to remain composed and steadfast, reminding her that he too faced immense challenges during his tenure as Education Minister years ago. Drawing from that encouragement, Fadhlina said she intends to focus on practical reforms rather than engage in political distractions.
Her statement came a day after a coalition of non-governmental organisations, operating under the banner Sekretariat Sekolah Selamat, handed a memorandum to her ministry outside Parliament. The group urged the introduction of structured mental wellbeing and emotional intelligence education as a mandatory component of the national curriculum, in response to several recent cases of student violence that shocked the nation.
The coalition’s proposal suggested that the new module should begin as early as Year One and continue through Form Five, with lessons designed to cultivate emotional literacy, empathy, stress management, and effective conflict resolution. It also called for the inclusion of bullying prevention programmes to address the root causes of school aggression.
Additionally, the memorandum pressed for comprehensive sex education, the establishment of a Safe Schools Commission under Parliament’s oversight, and the enactment of stronger legal safeguards to protect students from harassment and abuse within the school environment.
While acknowledging these demands, Fadhlina reiterated that the Education Ministry is already working on several initiatives to improve student safety and wellbeing. She assured that every effort will be made to ensure schools remain safe spaces for learning, personal growth, and mental health support.
Despite facing mounting political pressure, Fadhlina expressed confidence in the ministry’s direction, stating that her focus remains on tangible outcomes rather than political noise. “Criticism,” she implied, “is not a burden but a reminder to do better for the nation’s children.”
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