Johor to spread anti-bullying message to community. — Posed photo filepic
IN a bid to curb bullying in schools, Johor government has launched a statewide anti-bullying campaign across all education levels.
State education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the campaign was part of a broader initiative under a special committee formed following a recent surge in bullying incidents.
“The Johor anti-bullying campaign, one of the initiatives under the committee, will be carried out in 1,195 schools and 585 religious schools across the state.
“It will also be implemented at 702 preschools under the Education Ministry as well as universities,” he said, adding that awareness must be instilled in youth of all ages.
Aznan said other executive councillors in the committee were women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin Nisa Ismail, Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah and health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
“Among the focus areas of this task force are continuous monitoring in schools, providing access to a user-friendly complaint platform and increasing awareness in schools.
“The task force will also provide counselling for victims and take stern action against bullies in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that Johor was the only state to have set up such a task force.
Khairin Nisa said setting up the committee was a proactive effort by the state government to combat and address the issue of bullying.
“The committee serves as a coordi- nator to support joint actions among government agencies, schools, non-governmental organisations and the local community.
“We want to ensure that every case of bullying can be dealt with promptly, comprehensively and effectively,” she said.
Mohd Fared said apart from the anti-bullying campaigns, special sermons highlighting the dangers of bullying and the prohibition of such behaviour in Islam would also be held during Friday prayers.
“We want to raise awareness among all parties, including civil servants and the community, on the harmful effects of bullying which can often lead to trauma and emotional distress.
“We also hope to instil empathy among our children, and the community as a whole, so that we can combat this problem.”
It was earlier reported that a 10-year-old pupil of a school in Skudai, who was also a cancer patient, was allegedly bullied by a schoolmate on Aug 7, causing him to suffer a concussion and be hospitalised.
Nationwide concern about bullying was intensified following the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was alleged to have been bullied in Sabah.
