Johor education dept offers counselling support after Irene Sofiya's death

Batu Pahat - The Johor Education Department has pledged psychological assistance to the family, educators, and companions of Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, a 16-year-old victim of a school shooting in Yong Peng. Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali announced the support to protect the emotional wellbeing of those affected.

Some individuals continue to experience trauma following the incident. The district office and school principal have conducted counseling sessions with the impacted teachers and students. School routines remain unchanged for now, but the office will evaluate the situation on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days post-incident. Updates on the matter will be provided by the district office.

Meanwhile, the state government plans to collaborate with the Education Ministry to enhance school security. The first step includes installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in this district, as CCTV can assist in monitoring any potential tragedies. Dr Ghazali emphasized that schools should serve as secure environments, and everyone must work together to address the issue comprehensively.

The government is also partnering with the police, schools, and parents to strengthen safety measures for children. A 16-year-old classmate of the victim has been arrested and detained for six days to aid in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.