All out to check bullying

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is going all out to check bullying in schools.

“Anti-bullying should not just be a campaign, but a practice,” Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar said in launching the National Anti-Bullying Campaign 2006 at SMK Seri Permaisuri yesterday.

Coming in the wake of a task force set up by Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein two years ago to monitor and handle disciplinary problems in schools, the campaign is an effort by the ministry to integrate and improve its anti-bullying measures.

The ministry has printed posters with its anti-bullying hotline number and introduced a guidebook for the school authorities as well as a complaints website.

(From left) Mohd Asyraf Badrishah, 16, Leow Mun Tung, 16, Ahmad Rusyduddin Ahmad Rostam, 16, Mohamad Adam, 17, and Mohd Syafiq Samsudin, 17, of SMK Seri Permaisuri Kuala Lumpur holding anti-bullying badges at the launch of the National Anti-Bullying Campaign 2006 by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar Wednesday. --STARpic by SAMUEL ONG

Noh said the ministry had advised schools to work closely with the police, parent-teacher associations and non-governmental organisations to handle cases of bullying.

The ministry has also come up with an updated draft on standard procedures and punishments to be meted out to wayward students.

“The new draft provides specific guidelines on disciplining students so that teachers and school heads do not act on their own whims,” said Noh, pointing out that certain schools still carried out public caning, which was not allowed by the ministry.

The draft, called Education Rules (Student Discipline) 2006, has been sent to the Attorney-General’s chambers for enactment purposes.

A number of teachers have welcomed these concerted measures by the ministry.

“Our school has a box where students can complain anonymously, and they are aware of the anti-bullying hotline. However, having clear guidelines will help as we are sometimes not sure what we can or cannot do,” said Carol Tan, who has been teaching for 17 years.

B. Jeya said her school already worked with the police force to counter bullying.

Those who wish to complain about school bullies can call 1-800-884774, SMS to 33238, fax 03-88886681, e-mail adudisiplin@moe.gov.my or log on to http://apps.emoe.gov.my/sad/