Students give pointers on tackling discipline problems

PETALING JAYA: Students asked how the Education Ministry should deal with discipline problems at school gave varied suggestions.

Some want the definition of bullying to include cyber bullying under the revised discipline guidelines being drafted by the ministry.

Rebecca, a Form Four student, spoke of a case where one of her friends was a victim of such bullying.

“My friend fell asleep on the schoolbus. Her schoolmates took her photos and posted them on Facebook,” she said.

They then teased and called her names, she added. Rebecca however credited the school for the way it handled the problem.

“The teachers did not punish the students but gave them a long talk and warning.

“I think they did a good job in handling the school’s cyber bullying issues as they monitor the school’s social media page online and are able to act quickly,” she said.

Rebecca suggested that bullies should also be sent for counselling.

Firdaus who is in Form Five, said schools should be stricter when dealing with such issues.

“The teachers don’t show their anger but try to be friends with the bullies and come up with a solution,” he said.

Brett said school authorities should also look into any student’s complaint.

“If students report to their teachers that they are being bullied, schools should take the matter seriously.

“They must find out what happened and contact the bullies’ parents,” said the Form Five student from a school in Selangor.

Form Four student Siddharta thinks schools should not resort to caning when dealing with bullies.

“They must look into a different punishment,” he added.