Fadhlina: Each Bullying Incident In School Must Be Reported, Not Concealed

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek today said that each bullying incident in school must be reported without compromise and not hidden, and must be investigated transparently according to the existing guidelines under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MOE).

She said all schools have a significant responsibility in addressing bullying because it is not just a legal or regulatory segment but a moral obligation.

"We will not compromise on anything that could potentially sweep the bullying issue under the carpet, and I have repeatedly emphasised that this bullying issue must be reported according to our regulations before we go to the tribunal level,” she said at a press conference after attending the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Townhall Session here today.

"There must be responsibility on the part of administrators and teachers to report and also to take full responsibility when bullying incidents occur within the school."

Also present were the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Fadhlina said that based on the guidelines under the MOE’s jurisdiction, there should be no fear whatsoever to report bullying issues that occur in schools.

"This is a responsibility that must be addressed by all school principals, headmasters and administrators, and we have given assurances that all these bullying cases must be investigated transparently. We have also given assurances that our children must have access to report,” she said.

“Therefore, we have reformed our own complaint portal so that they (complainants) can choose not to provide their real names if they are worried, etc., but we will still investigate based on the complaint portal reforms we have already implemented.

"So we want to give an assurance that don't forget this is the MADANI Government, we will take full responsibility to ensure that bullying issues can be addressed in all aspects," she said.

Fadhlina, meanwhile, said the character education agenda will be one of the main thrusts in the 2027 school curriculum, to ensure that future generations truly benefit from character education.

Character education is a special session or curriculum that focuses on personal character and the overall development of students.

"Character education is one of the specific approaches to character development that emphasises moral values, manners and ethics for our children particularly as a foundation, the basic framework for education," she added.

-- BERNAMA