KOTA KINABALU: The State Education Department has urged all primary and secondary schools in Sabah to set up a Crime Prevention Club to educate their members on ways to prevent crime.
“The Crime Prevention Club was established in several schools in Sabah but it is not compulsory,” said Education Director Datuk Jame Alip yesterday when commenting on the statement by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib that a total of 233 students from both secondary and higher learning institutions in Sabah were detained by police for involvement in 221 crime cases last year.
“Although the number of students in primary and secondary schools involved in crime cases is still low, I believe that prevention is still better than cure,” Jame said.
“With the setting up of Crime Prevention Club in schools, teachers and students will be getting assistance from the police to run their activities,” he said.
Jame added that out of some 500,000 primary and secondary schools students in Sabah, the Education Department received only a small number of crime cases reported to them, and it is still under control.
“We are looking at this matter seriously, especially when the technology is getting more advanced day by day. The social media have been contributing to changes in students’ behaviour and we must be more proactive to prevent the students from committing crime.
“To date, only 189 schools have set up a Crime Prevention Club and we want this number to increase as soon as possible,” he added.
On Wednesday Hamza revealed that 233 students from both secondary and higher learning institutions were detained for involvement in murder, rape, motorcycle theft, burglary, robbery and others.
Hamza also said a survey carried out by the police showed that some students got involved in criminal activities due to the influence of social media, environment, friends and family.
He added the police would implement several strategies to fight crime in schools by having meetings with schools, the department and parents.