Anti-bullying education should be embedded in school curriculum

AS an educator who has worked with students across different age groups, I have seen first-hand the silent damage caused by bullying.

It is not the bruises or visible injuries that worry me most about the person who is being bullied but the quiet withdrawal, drop in confidence and loss of joy for learning in him or her.

Malaysia has seen a steady rise in reported cases of bullying over the years. From 3,887 cases in 2022 to 5,703 by October 2024, the trend is worrying.

While anti-bullying campaigns are conducted in most schools, these are often limited to annual assemblies, short talks or posters on noticeboards. These piecemeal efforts are not enough as bullying is a complex behavioural issue that requires consistent, structured and age-appropriate education.

This is why I strongly recommend that the education authorities introduce a standalone anti-bullying course, starting from preschool and continuing right through to secondary school. The course should not be treated as an optional add-on but as a compulsory subject like Bahasa Melayu, mathematics or science.

For preschoolers, lessons should focus on empathy through storytelling, play and guided conversations. In primary school, pupils should learn practical ways to respond to teasing, understand the role of a bystander and engage in kindness-driven projects. At secondary level, the focus must include awareness of cyberbullying, peer mediation and responsible digital citizenship.

Equally important is teacher training. Teachers need the tools to recognise early warning signs, respond effectively and create a safe space for reporting. This includes clear school-wide protocols and support systems for the affected students.

We can learn from countries like Finland and New Zealand, where structured programmes have significantly reduced bullying rates. Their approaches are consistent, school-wide and supported by strong community engagement.

Bullying is not a rite of passage; it is a preventable harm. By embedding anti-bullying education into the very structure of our schooling system, we can raise a generation that not only rejects bullying but also actively stands up for kindness, inclusion and respect.

DR DALJEET SINGH SEDHU JANAH SINGH

Academy of Language Studies

Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch