KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has pledged to safeguard student safety and wellbeing, after 2,889 bullying cases and 3,570 criminal misconduct cases were reported in schools last year.
The ministry said it views such incidents with utmost seriousness and will not compromise on any form of disciplinary misconduct in educational institutions.
"The bullying incidents comprised 740 cases in primary schools and 2,149 in secondary schools.
"Meanwhile, the criminal misconduct involved 457 cases in primary schools and 3,113 in secondary schools," it said in a parliamentary written reply dated Tuesday (Feb 24).
It added that among the actions taken by schools are verbal or written warnings, detention classes, caning, suspension and expulsion.
"These stricter measures are imposed according to the severity of each case," it said.
The ministry said 2024 saw the most bullying incidents at 7,681, with 1,992 cases reported in primary schools and 5,689 in secondary schools.
"The increase in recorded cases was attributed to heightened awareness and improved compliance among schools, particularly among students, teachers and school administrators, following the implementation of the ministry’s Professional Circular No. 12 of 2023," it said.
Under the ministry's Safe School concept, institutions are required to foster stable physical, social and emotional environments for the entire school community.
The ministry said it carried out nationwide security audits to ensure compliance with school SOPs.
As of Nov 19, it said, 1,758 schools had undergone safety audits.
The ministry has also reviewed SOPs relating to bullying and sexual misconduct and reformed the complaints system to better protect the identities of complainants and witnesses.
It said RM3mil was spent install closed-circuit television (CCTV) in 200 hostels to beef up security and an additional RM5mil has been approved for this year to cover 333 more boarding schools.
A total of 523 new guidance and counselling teachers were placed in schools nationwide last year while 600 hostel assistant wardens will be appointed soon to strengthen night-time supervision.
The ministry is also working closely with the police through its school liaison officers, who conduct regular visits and review complaints submitted via student complaint boxes.
"Moving forward, the ministry has implemented immediate reforms to existing systems and mechanisms, strengthened the Safe School framework and expanded educational programmes through cross-ministerial collaboration.
"These efforts involve the Health Ministry, Home Ministry, Communications Ministry, and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, as well as parents’ associations, community groups, private sector partners and non-governmental organisations.
"These initiatives are being implemented intensively and continuously in collaboration with state Education Departments and district Education Offices to ensure effective implementation across all 10,245 schools nationwide.
"The ministry said it will systematically monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures to ensure safer, more conducive learning environments for students," it added.
V Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) wanted to know the total number of bullying and criminal cases recorded in schools nationwide last year and the responses taken.
