KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Schools that have reported bullying incidents in the past two years will be among the first to have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in their hostels, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.

According to a written parliamentary reply, the Education Ministry has allocated RM3 million to install CCTV systems in 200 school hostels under its purview, beginning on October 13.

Fadhlina said the first phase of installations would prioritise schools identified through risk assessments and local needs.

“The criteria includes records of bullying cases over the past two years, density of residents or student enrolment, existing protection (whether CCTV is absent or has insufficient coverage),” she said.

The ministry would also consider the readiness of electrical and network infrastructure — as advised by the Public Works Department — along with technical input from the Chief Government Security Officer’s Office on camera placement.

Fadhlina added that student safety, particularly in hostels, remained a top concern for the ministry.

“These guidelines ensure that CCTV installation complies with personal data protection principles and respects students’ privacy in line with the law and ministry policies,” she said, referring to internal protocols that have been prepared for schools.

She said CCTV installation at other hostels would continue in stages, depending on available funding and Budget 2026.

Describing the move as part of a broader plan to strengthen student welfare, Fadhlina said the phased approach was aimed at “reducing the risk of bullying in schools and hostels nationwide”.

She was responding to a question from Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH–Sungai Petani), who had asked about the ministry’s criteria for selecting schools to receive the CCTV systems.