Zero Tolerance: Teachers at 'Sekolah Rakyat' Who Commit Violence to Be Immediately Dismissed

The Ministry of Social Affairs has ensured that sanctions involving dismissal or termination without a written warning mechanism will be absolutely enforced against any educational staff, including teachers and dormitory supervisors at Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), who are proven to have committed acts of violence against students. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, familiarly known as Gus Ipul, emphasised that this policy reflects the government’s seriousness in combating all forms of physical violence, verbal abuse, bullying, and intolerance within the Sekolah Rakyat environment. “We will not tolerate violence. If there is violence there, we will immediately dismiss the perpetrator. There will be no first warning letter, no second warning letter,” he stated. Saifullah explained that the strict regulations regarding the prohibition of hazing and violence in any form have also been rigorously disseminated to all educational units, particularly during the school orientation period. The Ministry of Social Affairs, as the programme organiser, is fully committed to ensuring that the governance of Sekolah Rakyat becomes a pioneer of a safe, child-friendly, and participatory boarding school ecosystem for children from underprivileged families. As a preventive measure, each Sekolah Rakyat unit is now required to establish a Violence Prevention and Handling Team to serve as a reporting and first-response channel. This internal team is supported by a special referral mechanism to provide psychological assistance for students showing signs of mental distress or trauma. To ensure objective oversight, the ministry is openly inviting the public to monitor educational activities and report any indications of violations through the official hotline at 021-171. Parents and the public can also submit complaints directly via WhatsApp at 0887-717-1171. Saifullah added that all reports received through these official complaint channels will be promptly followed up by a special ministry team to protect the students’ fundamental rights. “We want the public to see firsthand how Sekolah Rakyat operates,” he said.