{
  "id": 16831535,
  "title": "Our children deserve better: time to make schools safe again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/our-children-deserve-better-time-to-make-schools-safe-again-16831535",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-28T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/10/28/our-children-deserve-better-time-to-make-schools-safe-again"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Schools should be nurturing environments where children flourish academically and personally. However, tragic incidents of violence and bullying continue to claim young lives and prevent children from feeling safe, respected, and cared for. Educators argue that academic excellence alone is insufficient if children are afraid to attend school or humiliated by their peers. Bullying can severely impact a child's emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging. It is crucial to recognize that bullying is a serious issue that must be addressed, rather than simply seen as a rite of passage. While bullies need to be held accountable, merely punishing them may not change the root causes of their behavior. To protect victims, support affected children, and change harmful attitudes, schools must undergo a cultural transformation. This includes empowering teachers, engaging parents, and encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions. The Attitude Breakthrough Challenge (ABC) is an example of a successful initiative that focused on developing positive attitudes and character through consistent practice and shared responsibility. By recognizing positive behavior and promoting accountability, schools can create a supportive community where children feel valued and safe. This approach has led to a significant reduction in student suspension cases. To create a safe and positive school environment, schools need committed leadership, empowered teachers, engaged parents, responsible students, and effective systems to identify and address concerns early on. Making positive attitudes a way of life requires consistent reinforcement and recognition of good behavior. Schools must distinguish between holding children accountable and labeling them as failures, providing guidance and opportunities for change instead. Ultimately, every child deserves an education in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where they can thrive.",
  "summary": "Parents, teachers and students share equal responsibility in ensuring that schools remain a place to learn and build character and, most of all, a safe haven.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}