PUTRAJAYA, Oct. 17 -- The government could increase police presence, allow teachers to conduct frequent spot checks, and tighten rules on social media use for youths as it seeks to address concerns about the recent series of violent incidents in schools involving students.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the proposals were among those discussed at today's Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also gave instructions that a special committee be formed to study the emerging occurrence, Fahmi told reporters at the weekly post-Cabinet press conference here.

"The Cabinet did discuss the recent spate of violence in schools, and the prime minister asked about a few things. We touched on the use of smartphones...