Bullying: Perak Focuses On Empowering Wardens In School Hostels - Exco

IPOH, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Empowering wardens is among the strict control measures implemented by the Perak government to prevent bullying in boarding schools, said state Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah.

He said the measures included appointing school wardens in accordance with the norms or ratio set by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

“…namely, a minimum of three wardens and an additional warden for every 50 students. Replacements must be appointed immediately if a warden resigns, retires or is transferred, to ensure hostel management is conducted properly and in an orderly manner,” he said.

He was speaking during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

This was in response to a question from Berhanudin Ahmad (PN-Manong), who asked what steps the government was taking to address bullying in schools and whether the culture of ‘kapla’ or gangsterism still existed in boarding schools in Perak.

Meanwhile, Khairudin said that in addition to appointing wardens, hostel management must also draw up duty schedules to ensure a warden is always present at the hostel.

He said wardens on duty are required to fill out a duty report book in the prescribed format, covering aspects of safety, cleanliness and discipline.

Apart from that, Khairudin, who is also the assemblyman for Belanja, said hostel monitoring was also being strengthened, including the provision of a dedicated complaint box in addition to the one already available at the school.

“The complaint box must be placed in an accessible location for both students and teachers, and it must be maintained and regularly checked by the warden so that any complaints can be promptly addressed and resolved by the administrator or hostel warden,” he said.

“Inspections and roll calls are conducted periodically with the assistance of supervisors on duty in the mornings and evenings,” he said.

In response to a supplementary question from Berhanudin, Khairudin said 85 cases of bullying were recorded in schools in Perak last year, while 49 cases were reported from January to August this year.

“However, all these cases are under control and do not involve serious incidents,” he said, adding that there is currently no indication of a ‘kapla’ or gangsterism culture in Perak schools.

-- BERNAMA