“School Bullies Will Be Sent For Training with Military and Police,” Says Education Minister

School students with disciplinary problems, especially those who bully other students, will reportedly be sent to undergo training with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) or the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Deputy Education Minister II, Datuk Chong Sin Woon stated that these students would undergo continuous theoretical and physical training in efforts to curb the prevalent bullying issue that’s currently rampant in schools.

Source: Berita Harian

“The Ministry has established the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) along with ATM and PDRM in order to tackle the issue of undisciplined school students in a more focused manner,” the minister stated during a question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today (28th November), according to Berita Harian.

“Students with discipline problems will be given theoretical and physical training, while also incorporating the skills of the military and police force in their activities.”

“We have also set up a Crime Prevention Club, established a School Liaison Officer with the help of the police and held a consortium with parents, the State Education Department (JPN) and the District Education Office (PPD) to address this issue.”

Source: New Straits Times

Datuk Mohd Zaim Abu Hasan (BN-Parit), then asked an additional question about plans to tackle the prominent issue of physical and psychological bullying in schools.

Mohd Zaim clarified that the list of 402 schools identified as “hot spots” for discipline and drug problems that was released a few months ago involved schools located in high-risk, crime-prone areas identified by the police.

“This list can help the ministry pay more attention to these schools,” he stated.

Source: The Star

In response to Mohd Zaim’s question about methods to curb the bullying problem, Datuk Sin Woon said that school counselors also have the responsibility to run personality tests on their students, stating,

“These school counselors get their students to take personality tests like the TAJMA and Sidek tests in efforts to help better understand their students who are prone to bullying and violent behaviour.”

He was also asked about what steps parents of bullies who are brought to court should take, to which Datuk Sin Woon responded that the matter was not enshrined in the Education Act 1996 (Act 550).

“If the bully is a student under the age of 16 and did something very serious involving someone’s life or serious injuries, the case will be referred to the police. Action will then be taken in juvenile court,” he stated.

What do you think of this measure the Ministry of Education is taking in efforts to curb the growing bullying problem in schools? Let us know in the comments below!