KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia’s education system must go beyond buildings and exams to rebuild the emotional foundation that nurtures empathy, accountability, and compassion, said Kepayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (pic) on Wednesday.
She said the recent deaths of schoolchildren, including 13-year-old Zara Qairina in Sabah, reflect a deeper social decay marked by neglect, bullying, and emotional distress.
Jannie said teachers and principals, already overburdened, need proper training to identify warning signs of distress and not rely solely on technology like CCTV to prevent tragedies.
She urged the government to make school counsellors part of the core teaching staff and to strictly enforce the Child Safety and Protection Policy to ensure accountability.
Jannie said parents must also reclaim their role as moral educators and avoid defending their children blindly when they harm others, stressing that emotional literacy begins at home.
She added that many families today face emotional fatigue due to financial pressure and digital distractions, calling for more parental education and workplace policies that promote family wellbeing.
She said rebuilding empathy requires a return to community values where schools, parents, and local institutions work together to restore safety, compassion, and conscience in society.
