PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today gave a firm reminder to schools and parents to fully cooperate in addressing bullying in educational institutions, and warned them against protecting perpetrators for the sake of preserving a school’s image.
He said some school administrators and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) tend to downplay or conceal bullying cases, seeing them as minor or non-serious, but such attitudes only risk worsening the issue in the long term.
“A reminder to schools: do not protect bullies, even in minor cases. Bullying is still a crime. Not everything should be considered a light offence.
“For teachers who probably still upholding the outdated educational approaches, we must recognise the need for reform within the system.
“While it is clearly unacceptable to hit or injure students, especially on their heads, teachers should still be allowed to correct, advise, or take reasonable disciplinary action,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Jannatul Firdaus PPAM Seruling in Precinct 5 here.
Anwar also commented on the stance of certain human rights or liberal groups that strongly oppose any disciplinary measures by teachers.
He acknowledged the need for restraint, but said flexibility should be allowed in managing discipline, provided it is done under strict conditions.
“A reminder to schools: do not protect bullies, even in minor cases. Bullying is still a crime. Not everything should be considered a light offence.
“For teachers who probably still upholding the outdated educational approaches, we must recognise the need for reform within the system.
“While it is clearly unacceptable to hit or injure students, especially on their heads, teachers should still be allowed to correct, advise, or take reasonable disciplinary action,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Jannatul Firdaus PPAM Seruling in Precinct 5 here.
Anwar also commented on the stance of certain human rights or liberal groups that strongly oppose any disciplinary measures by teachers.
He acknowledged the need for restraint, but said flexibility should be allowed in managing discipline, provided it is done under strict conditions.