Caning is meant to teach and not to hurt

CANING of school students is meant to teach, not hurt.

The Education Ministry has provided a clear guideline for punishments to be meted out particularly caning and therefore, they were not arbitrary.

“Every school has its own regulations and punishment aimed at teaching students, not causing hurt,” said Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah.

“Normally, before caning is meted out, there are other measures such as advising and counselling. Parents will be called in after a student is found to have misbehaved repeatedly and there are different punishment for different offences,” she told reporters after launching a health awareness campaign in Kuching yesterday.

Fatimah declined to comment on an alleged caning incident in Sibu, as it was now being investigated by the police.

It was reported in a local daily that the incident involved two Form One students at a secondary school in Durin.

Boarders Nicholas Novy Gumbang and Sylvester Ansam Stephen alleged that they were caned on Sunday by the chief warden for failing to fill the “request to stay in school hostel” form.

The daily quoted social activist Dr Johnny Kieh, who learnt of the matter from Nicholas’ father Gumbang Tegap who claimed that both boys were caned in front of other students.

Kieh had said Gumbang learnt of the incident when his son and Sylvester were asked to return to their longhouse in Nanga Mangut, Sungai Machan, Kanowit and were given a form each to complete.

He said Gumbang lodged a police report on Monday and both boys were sent to Sibu Hospital for examination.

By ZORA CHAN

zora@thestar.com.my