KUALA LUMPUR: The gap between public and private education in Malaysia could widen if more families sideline government schools due to its worrying cases of bullying, says Muda MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“We risk creating a two-tier education system – schools for the rich and schools for the poor,” he said, citing data that even middle-income families are now willing to spend a significant portion of their income on private education.
He said that parents, particularly those relying on public schools, may find themselves disadvantaged, as public institutions often represent their only viable option for their children’s education.
“Children from affluent families have options. They can attend international schools, private schools, or go abroad.
“However, for children from underprivileged families, public schools are their only gateway and the primary means to lift their families out of the cycle of poverty,” he said when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan at Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Syed Saddiq highlighted the stark rise in bullying incidents, noting an increase from 300 cases annually between 2021 and 2024 to 6,500 cases a year.
“Bullying becomes systemic when wardens neglect their duties, headmasters turn a blind eye to protect the school’s reputation, and peers normalise bullying as a tradition handed down from seniors,” he said.
“As a product of national primary school, secondary school and public university, I am deeply concerned whenever there is a viral bullying case.”
Citing the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir, Syed Saddiq pointed out the delayed response in the girl’s case, questioning why it took protests and public attention for action to be taken.
“There should be timely interventions. Why did it take two weeks to act? What implications will this delay have for other parents considering sending their children to boarding schools?”
13-year-old Zara Qairina was found unconscious at her school dormitory block in Papar, Sabah on July 16 and declared dead the following day.
The case was initially classified as sudden death by police, but later developments led to the investigation being reopened, with allegations of bullying arising.
Calling for accountability in cases of bullying, Syed Saddiq suggested that school administrations should also be held liable.
“We need to ensure the same responsibility on school management in protecting our younger generation,” he said.
Public schools, he added, should be equipped with comprehensive support systems, including adequate compensation for wardens, retraining counsellors and installing CCTV systems to deter bullying.
“If bullying occurs, we must ensure action is taken from top to bottom so that no support system stands idle.”
Syed Saddiq also called for free and quality preschool education, urging the government to allocate sufficient funds to ensure accessibility for all.
“Free preschool education will guarantee equal access to quality learning before entering primary school,” he said, emphasising the importance of early education.
He noted that a holistic approach was necessary in reforming the education system so that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, had access to the best teachers, nutritious meals and quality education.
“We need to ensure national schools remain the top choice for all families,” he added.
