Teacher training key to effective anti-bullying response, says Fadhlina
Education minister says teachers must be equipped to assess bullying cases and intervene effectively to protect victims.
In Malaysia, education minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized the importance of teacher training in effectively responding to bullying cases in schools. According to Fadhlina, teachers must receive comprehensive training on how to recognize bullying situations, assess victims and perpetrators, and implement appropriate interventions to prevent lasting harm. She highlighted that teacher training should be strengthened to ensure every bullying complaint is handled properly.
Fadhlina also stressed the need for an integrated approach to addressing bullying, involving teachers, school administrators, district education offices, state education departments, and the education ministry. Trainee teachers should be taught character development so they can positively influence students' personalities and help combat bullying in schools.
The education minister pointed out that declining parental support for children's education, as indicated by Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, is another factor that requires attention. She noted that a lack of parental support can impact the education ecosystem and students' well-being, and urged parents to take a more active role in understanding their children's experiences at school.
Meanwhile, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said reported that the Anti-Bullying Tribunal received 68 complaints between June 17 and October 19, of which 51 were resolved and 17 remained pending. Of the complaints, 42 involved victims aged 13 to 17, while 22 concerned children aged seven to 12. The remaining complaints involved children aged four to six.
Students should first seek resolution through their schools, and cases can then be brought to the tribunal for mediation, formal apologies, counseling, or compensation orders.
In March to August, the education ministry reported a total of 4,289 bullying cases, with 2,480 involving physical bullying, 1,386 involving verbal bullying, 243 non-verbal bullying, and 180 cyberbullying.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
