Recent concerns over campus safety have shaken the community, following the shocking case of a 14-year-old male student fatally stabbing a 16-year-old girl. The incident has sparked heightened attention on school violence and the control of prohibited items.
In response, Riam Road Secondary School in Miri has become one of the first to implement metal detector wand checks on students’ belongings, with student patrol officers assisting in inspecting backpacks.
The school also shared several photos on its official Facebook page showing student patrols conducting these checks. However, this “semi-militarized” approach has sparked debate among parents and netizens, with questions raised about whether it can truly prevent students from bringing knives or other prohibited items onto campus.
Attempts to reach the principal of Riam Road Secondary School for further comment on the inspection measures were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, at another Miri school, Pei Min Middle School, Principal Mdm. Pui Mui Kiaw stated that the school already conducts irregular, random backpack checks to ensure students do not carry prohibited items. She added that the list of banned items includes mobile phones, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and sharp objects.
