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The Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) is taking steps to address bullying in schools, but concerns have been raised by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and the Children's Commissioner about the effectiveness of these measures.
Current Efforts by the Ministry of Education
The MOE has implemented the Students Discipline System (SSDM), which tracks and follows up on bullying incidents reported in schools. In 2023, nearly 5,891 students involved in bullying were monitored under this system[1]. However, there is a growing acknowledgment of the need for a holistic, school-wide approach that includes prevention, emotional intelligence development, and community participation[1].
Concerns Raised by SUHAKAM and Responses
SUHAKAM has called for urgent and comprehensive anti-bullying action to ensure no child is afraid to go to school. Their statement highlights the need for stronger measures to prevent bullying and protect students’ rights and dignity[4].
Proposed Solutions and Recommendations
Civil society figures like Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye have urged the MOE to elevate bullying as a national priority, rather than treating it merely as a disciplinary issue. He calls for stronger policies emphasizing prevention through education, awareness campaigns, and early intervention — not just reactive punishment[2].
Training teachers, counselors, and school staff to recognize early signs of bullying and intervene effectively is strongly recommended[2]. Establishing a national database to track bullying cases systematically and monitor trends has been proposed to enhance transparency, accountability, and ensure continuous follow-up[2].
Creating a school culture that promotes kindness, respect, and inclusion to prevent bullying behaviors and support victims is emphasized[2].
Context of the Issue
Reports show a concerning rise in bullying cases: from 3,887 cases in 2022 to 5,703 by October 2024, involving over 11,000 students. Bullying manifests in various forms—physical aggression, verbal abuse, social exclusion, body shaming, and increasingly cyberbullying due to widespread smartphone and social media use[1].
Recent Developments
In the past week, three disturbing cases involving 13 to 15-year-olds have emerged, including a student who jumped from a school building and a serious assault. These incidents have prompted calls for more proactive school monitoring in areas such as dorms, halls, and prefect rooms[3].
Perspectives
Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, the Children's Commissioner, has expressed doubts about the training and supervision of teachers investigating bullying cases. She also raised concerns about the consistency and outcome of parental involvement in bullying cases, as per the guidelines[3].
She reiterated the need for the education system to do more to protect students and uphold their right to a safe learning environment. Dr Farah Nini Dusuki stated that schools must become safe spaces again and warned that fear and violence are becoming normalised in schools[3].
The MOE guidelines for handling bullying in schools include provisions for engagement between the parents of the bully and the victim. However, the status of the recent disturbing cases was not provided[3].
No new information about the MOE's response to the concerns and calls for action was provided. The MOE is encouraged to adopt a more comprehensive, prevention-based, and transparent approach to combat bullying and ensure safer school environments for all students.
[1] Ministry of Education (2023). Bullying in Schools: Current Efforts and Challenges. Retrieved from https://moe.gov.my/media-centre/articles/bullying-in-schools-current-efforts-and-challenges [2] Lee, T. S. L. (2024). A Call to Action: Addressing Bullying in Malaysian Schools. Retrieved from https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/559816 [3] The Star (2024). Three Disturbing Cases Highlight Need for Action Against Bullying. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/15/three-disturbing-cases-highlight-need-for-action-against-bullying [4] Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (2024). Urgent Action Needed to Address Bullying in Schools. Retrieved from https://suhakam.org.my/urgent-action-needed-to-address-bullying-in-schools/
- The Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) is addressing bullying in schools, particularly through the Students Discipline System (SSDM), but concerns have been raised about the system's effectiveness, such as those expressed by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and the Children's Commissioner.
- Civil society figures, like Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, have urged the MOE to prioritize anti-bullying measures and advocate for prevention strategies, like education, awareness campaigns, and early intervention, rather than focusing solely on reactive punishment.
- Reports indicate a significant rise in bullying cases in Malaysia, ranging from physical aggression and verbal abuse to cyberbullying, which has prompted calls for more proactive school monitoring and the establishment of a national database to track bullying cases systematically.
- The Education-and-self-development sector, along with Personal-growth and Learning, can play a crucial role in fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and kindness among students, which can help prevent bullying and support a safe learning environment.
- As news about disturbing bullying cases continues to emerge, it's essential for the MOE to respond promptly and adopt a comprehensive, prevention-based approach, promoting human rights, environment awareness, and overall educational quality to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
