“I Am Very Uncomfortable If In Cabinet Meetings, I Hear About Bullying Cases In Schools” – Anwar

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is concerned about the bullying problem that still occurs in schools, despite various efforts already implemented to strengthen education, morals and student character development.

The Prime Minister said he is displeased with the matter when many parties have repeatedly discussed issues of change, education and morals within the schooling system.

“I am very uncomfortable because why? If in Cabinet meetings, I hear about a bullying case in a school. I am very uncomfortable.

“This is because we talk about change, education, morals, yet among the children, such things still happen,” he said when speaking at the Official Opening Ceremony of the Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin National Religious Secondary School (SMKA) here today.

Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Anwar said all parties must take the matter seriously because it involves injustice committed by the perpetrator against the victim.

He said there are situations where a case is not reported because the school wants to avoid negative publicity.

“Maybe it’s not true, not many. But we must remember, this problem occurs in all schools without exception, and if it is not widely reported because the principal or teachers try to protect the school, not wanting negative news. But there will be an injustice because the one being victimised is not defended,” he said.

In that regard, he urged teachers, principals and students to jointly shoulder the responsibility of creating a safe school environment based on high moral values.

“Just as today’s event is not merely to officiate a new, more sophisticated and beautiful school, but may its outcomes also be sophisticated and beautiful.

“Sometimes people are mesmerised. They want a mosque, the most magnificent, the most beautiful. They want this school, grand, beautiful, but less emphasis is placed on its substance, especially in terms of knowledge,” he said.

Anwar said change does not depend solely on facilities or the status of an educational institution, but must instead be translated through the character, discipline and good practices of every member of the school community.

“Not only teachers, but the children are also responsible. We must set the best example because change is based on the best character and morals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar also emphasised that educational development is not merely focused on physical aspects such as school buildings and facilities, but must be accompanied by the substance of knowledge as well as the formation of students’ values and morals.

He said the success of an educational institution is measured through the quality of character and knowledge possessed by its students, in line with the goal of producing a generation that is knowledgeable, ethical and noble in character.

Berita Harian