The deployment of former military personnel as full-time wardens in Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) boarding schools is proving to be an effective measure against bullying, according to MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The issue gained renewed attention after Dr Asyraf shared his thoughts on the South Korean drama ‘Teach You A Lesson’, which explores school violence and the challenges of protecting students from bullying.
The similarities between Teach You A Lesson & MARA’s approach
He noted striking similarities between the show’s protagonist, a former commando tasked with safeguarding students’ rights, and MARA’s own approach of placing ex-soldiers in MRSM campuses to strengthen discipline and student welfare.
“No wonder many of you have tagged me and suggested me to watch Teach You A Lesson on Netflix,” Dr Asyraf remarked on his Facebook post.
Using the drama as a reference point, Dr Asyraf stressed that bullying should never be viewed as a minor disciplinary issue. Instead, he described it as a serious problem that requires decisive action, transparency, and consistency from school authorities.
He argued that schools must avoid the temptation to downplay or conceal bullying incidents out of concern for their reputation.
“Strict action in handling this issue is important so that there is no tendency to cover up bullying cases out of fear that the institution’s image will be affected.”
“There must also be no favoritism in dealing with such cases, even if those involved have ‘cables’ (connections) or come from influential families.”
An effective initiative
Dr Asyraf also highlighted findings from a study conducted by researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which reportedly found a significant reduction in bullying and disciplinary cases at several MRSM campuses where former military personnel had been appointed as wardens.
According to him, the initiative has produced benefits beyond student discipline. The presence of dedicated wardens has also helped reduce the administrative and supervisory burden previously carried by teachers, many of whom had to juggle classroom responsibilities with hostel management duties.
In another Facebook post, Dr Asyraf mentioned that he’s now catching up on Teach You A Lesson and has slept late for two consecutive nights to keep up with the drama. Social media users also likened Dr Asyraf to a character in the drama.
The chairman’s remarks come amid continued public concern over bullying in residential schools, a topic that has frequently sparked debate in Malaysia following reports of student abuse and misconduct over the years.
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