Fadhlina: CCTV coverage beefed up
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Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced plans to expand CCTV coverage to 333 boarding schools in Malaysia this year, with a budget increase of RM5 million. Additionally, 300 MySTEP warden assistants have been deployed to student hostels since April to improve student safety and reduce bullying incidents. As a parent herself, Fadhlina empathizes with parents' concerns over bullying in schools and acknowledged that while several measures have been implemented, there is still room for improvement.
The ministry has enhanced its bullying complaint system with an anonymous reporting function on the Bullying Complaint Portal, and strengthened prevention and early intervention efforts through the S.A.F.E. Framework. This framework includes prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation measures, such as peer support groups and targeted counselling.
Fadhlina also mentioned that Character Education will be introduced in the 2027 school curriculum, focusing on values like integrity and empathy. The ministry is currently working with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department to draft the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which will include provisions for an Anti-Bullying Tribunal as a platform for victims to seek redress.
In 2023, the ministry released Guidelines on Managing Bullying Misconduct as an official reference for schools on how to handle complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, and interventions. Fadhlina emphasized that the ministry will continue to evaluate and address any shortcomings, stressing that until every child feels safe at school, their work is not complete.
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