PARIT BUNTAR, July 2 — The Education Ministry (MOE) will ensure no bullying cases at schools are swept under the carpet, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Fadhlina said the MOE is giving full attention to the matter by enhancing guidelines to handle bullying at MOE schools, in collaboration with all agencies, including police and school stakeholders.
“We provide ample space to improve the capabilities and roles of counselling teachers and counsellors in schools. It is important to note that after we highlighted the need to take firm action on this issue, we received more complaints.
“This indicates they are willing to speak up and share information with us. Therefore, we don’t want any more cases to be swept under the carpet when we can actually deal with them.”
She told reporters this after launching the Anti-Bullying Programme 2024 for Kerian at SMJK Parit Buntar here today.
Fadhlina further said the Public Complaints Management System is given the space to ensure all complaints about bullying are handled with transparency and integrity, based on the approach adopted by the MOE.
She also said the Anti-Bullying Programme in schools must be expanded with the support of state education departments, and believes bullying incidents in schools can be more effectively addressed through education.
Commenting on the bullying case involving a female student at a secondary school in Kerian, Fadhlina said investigations and actions are being carried out by school authorities based on MOE guidelines.
Prior to this, a one-minute and 21-second video went viral on social media showing a 13-year-old female student being bullied by two 15-year-old female students from the same school.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the June 14 incident was due to jealousy, as the victim was accused of having a close relationship with the boyfriend of one of the older girls.
— Bernama
