A visitor at an exhibition booth. - BB/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The BEST (Help, Empathise, Care, Responsibility) Programme and the Book of Rules and Discipline Guidelines for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges, Sixth Form Centres and Government Hostels, Ministry of Education for the Year 2025 was launched Thursday (Nov 6) with Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Romaizah Mohd Salleh officiating the event.
The BEST Programme is an initiative by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to curb and prevent bullying among students in schools.
Themed ‘Smart Screens: Learning Ways to Stay Safe in the Digital Era’, the programme aims to enhance understanding and knowledge through the dissemination of information specifically to educate students on self-control, while also exposing them to the dangers and effects of bullying and to produce students who are disciplined, mutually respectful and possess good character and morals.
The event also saw the presentation of the newly launched Book of Rules and Discipline Guidelines for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges, Sixth Form Centres and Government Hostels, Ministry of Education for the Year 2025 to Superintendent, Department of School by the minister.
Acting Head of the Counselling Division at the MoE Dr Nor Zaiham Midawati Abdullah, as the Co-Chairperson of the event said, “Member states of Unesco declared the first Thursday of November as the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School, including cyberbullying.”
“With the theme ‘Smart Screens: Learning to Stay Safe’, it aims to raise awareness about violence and bullying that occur in schools and to encourage member countries to create safer learning environments by empowering students, parents, educators, and policymakers to take action against these issues.”
She warned, “With the rapid advancement of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), students today are increasingly exposed to various risks of online violence driven by technology. These forms of violence include bullying, cyberbullying, and gender-based violence involving the use of technology – extending beyond the classroom into digital spaces.”
She shared, “The effects of cyberbullying can harm students’ emotions, mental health, and future. Therefore, raising awareness about cyberbullying is crucial in educating society – especially students, but also teachers and the wider community – to use social media wisely and ethically, and to create a safe, healthy, and cyberbullying-free digital environment.”
“The launch of the Book of Rules and Discipline Guidelines for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges, Sixth Form Centres and Government Hostels signifies the commitment of the Student Affairs Division, Department of Schools, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to update and enhance a comprehensive guidebook,” she added.
“This book will be used in primary schools, secondary schools/colleges, sixth form centres, and government hostels. It is hoped that this book will bring significant benefits to the entire school community and serve as a key reference in addressing the increasingly complex challenges of student discipline in today’s context.”
After the book launch and presentation, the event continued with a BEST Forum and ended with the presentation of certificates and tokens of appreciation to contributing agencies, panel members, and the moderator.
The three-day programme also featured an exhibition about the programme, which will be held until November 8, was attended by 24 participants.
Permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretary of the MoE, heads of department, senior officers of the MoE, school leaders, teachers and students were also present. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
