(Bandar Seri Begawan, 7th) Minister of Education Datin Romaizah noted that data collected over the past three years shows a decrease in bullying cases, from 734 in 2023 to 447 in 2024.
The Minister stated that several factors lead to students becoming bullies, including: influence from family or parents, exposure to aggressive or violent behavior at home, or witnessing family members being abused; lack of discipline; lack of religious education within the family; peer and environmental influences; and students feeling that they should not be challenged.
The Minister shared the reasons for school bullying during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting and answered questions posed by MP Dayang YB Khairunnisa.
The Minister also outlined the procedures schools must follow when bullying incidents occur. The Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Education has issued Circular No. 2/2025, detailing guidelines and action procedures for addressing bullying, gang-related activities, and drug issues at the school level. If students commit these offenses, the Ministry of Education will act accordingly through the School Department following the standard operating procedures (SOP) and in collaboration with relevant agencies like the Royal Brunei Police Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Department of Community Development, and the Narcotics Control Bureau.
These measures initially include an internal suspension of 5 to 10 school days, during which students will attend school under the supervision of designated officers and engage in community work on or off-campus in collaboration with appropriate government or non-government agencies. Secondly, students must sign a pledge in the presence of parents/guardians and school staff to refrain from reoffending and adhere to school rules. Thirdly, parents/guardians must sign a consent form allowing their child to undergo the actions prescribed by the school. Students will also attend school counseling sessions.
Students who repeatedly commit these offenses will be required to participate in a special program under the supervision of the National Service Program by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, with the duration to be determined.
Education and counseling-based preventive measures have been implemented through awareness models and intervention programs to educate students about negative impacts before issues escalate.
The Ministry of Education conducts regular monitoring, oversees student behavior during school hours, organizes campaigns and events, and holds annual BEST (anti-bullying) programs in all schools.
If an incident involves criminals or drug abuse, authorities such as the Royal Police Force, the Internal Security Department, and relevant agencies will take immediate action. Regarding research on bullying causes, the Minister reiterated that family influence is a significant factor. When students experience or witness aggressive or violent behavior at home, they may become bullies.
The Minister stated that several factors lead to students becoming bullies, including: influence from family or parents, exposure to aggressive or violent behavior at home, or witnessing family members being abused; lack of discipline; lack of religious education within the family; peer and environmental influences; and students feeling that they should not be challenged.
The Minister shared the reasons for school bullying during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting and answered questions posed by MP Dayang YB Khairunnisa.
The Minister also outlined the procedures schools must follow when bullying incidents occur. The Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Education has issued Circular No. 2/2025, detailing guidelines and action procedures for addressing bullying, gang-related activities, and drug issues at the school level. If students commit these offenses, the Ministry of Education will act accordingly through the School Department following the standard operating procedures (SOP) and in collaboration with relevant agencies like the Royal Brunei Police Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Department of Community Development, and the Narcotics Control Bureau.
These measures initially include an internal suspension of 5 to 10 school days, during which students will attend school under the supervision of designated officers and engage in community work on or off-campus in collaboration with appropriate government or non-government agencies. Secondly, students must sign a pledge in the presence of parents/guardians and school staff to refrain from reoffending and adhere to school rules. Thirdly, parents/guardians must sign a consent form allowing their child to undergo the actions prescribed by the school. Students will also attend school counseling sessions.
Students who repeatedly commit these offenses will be required to participate in a special program under the supervision of the National Service Program by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, with the duration to be determined.
Education and counseling-based preventive measures have been implemented through awareness models and intervention programs to educate students about negative impacts before issues escalate.
The Ministry of Education conducts regular monitoring, oversees student behavior during school hours, organizes campaigns and events, and holds annual BEST (anti-bullying) programs in all schools.
If an incident involves criminals or drug abuse, authorities such as the Royal Police Force, the Internal Security Department, and relevant agencies will take immediate action. Regarding research on bullying causes, the Minister reiterated that family influence is a significant factor. When students experience or witness aggressive or violent behavior at home, they may become bullies.