KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community urges all stakeholders including teachers, parents, students and the wider community to actively participate in eradicating the culture of bullying in schools.
Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye expressed strong support for the recent statement by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who said bullying cases in schools should neither be hidden nor ignored.
"Bullying in schools is a serious threat that can have profound effects on victims, including emotional trauma, mental health issues and declining academic performance.
"It not only damages the future of individuals but also fosters a culture of violence that contradicts the core values of humanity and education," Lee said in a statement today.
Yesterday, the media reported that Fadhlina reminded principals, headmasters and school administrators not to conceal bullying cases among students.
To effectively address school bullying, Lee emphasised the importance of prompt action and called for all incidents to be reported immediately to school authorities, parents and law enforcement.
School administrators, he said, must act swiftly and take fair action against perpetrators without any bias, ensuring a transparent process.
"Support systems should be established in schools by hiring more trained counsellors to assist both victims and perpetrators.
"Additionally, confidential reporting channels must be made available to encourage students to report bullying without fear of retaliation," he said.
Lee also urges schools to conduct regular anti-bullying programmes involving students, teachers and parents, to raise awareness of the harmful effects of bullying on both victims and perpetrators.
He also proposed the installation of closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) in strategic areas such as cafeterias, hallways and classrooms, alongside increased teacher presence during recess and outdoor activities to monitor student interactions effectively.
He said the Education Ministry should also collaborate with the police, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and psychologists to address bullying comprehensively, including tackling the growing issue of cyberbullying.
"We believe that this approach reflects our nation's commitment to educating a younger generation that values integrity, mutual respect and resilience," he said.