‘One uniform SOP for all’ proposal to tackle bullying

Former Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan has proposed a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to combat bullying in schools and higher learning institutions. This follows the recent death of a 14-year-old Form 2 student, Idlan Fareeq Shahril, in a sports school dormitory in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Kamalanathan, who served in the education and defence ministries from 2013 to 2018, emphasized the need for a clear timeline in the anti-bullying SOP: a 24-hour response time, a seven-day investigation period, and a 14-day action period.

Kamalanathan highlighted the importance of teaching children emotional literacy, as many lack this skill. He argued that while STEM subjects are taught, it is equally crucial to instill respect, active bystander behavior, and help-seeking skills. Additionally, he proposed reviewing the warden-to-student ratio in fully residential schools, empowering counsellors, and creating an anonymous, child-friendly reporting portal for bullying incidents.

Early detection protocols were also suggested, enabling teachers and counsellors to identify potential issues before bullying begins. Kamalanathan stressed that teachers and counsellors should be the primary prevention force in schools. He called on parents to take an active role in their children's development, being aware of behavioral changes and assisting in preventing bullying at home.