Weapon against bullying
Rohani: Big data analytics key to tackling problem
SUNGAI BULOH: Big data analytics is vital in the fight against school bullying, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
“Big data analytics is very important because bullying cases can spiral into social problems in the country such as gangsterism,” said Rohani.
The definition of what constitutes bullying can be broadly varied, she said, thus having a database of previous cases would help in data analysis.
The National Social Council held a meeting on Friday when her ministry tabled a paperwork to set up a database recording each and every bullying incident in schools, she said.
The information in the database could aid investigations into allegations of bullying.
“We try to come up with a common definition of bullying because sometimes what constitutes as bullying cases are categorised as criminal cases and so on,” Rohani said yesterday.
She said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi requested her ministry prepare more paperwork to narrow down the definition of bullying.
“The papers will have to be presented to him this January 2018,” she said.
The National Social Council, which has agreed on the move to establish the database in schools, will also set up an integrated social intervention programme involving education and welfare departments, as well as the police, to effectively tackle bullying.
Earlier, Rohani launched the first dental conference for people with disabilities and also the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Special Care Dentistry Clinic at its Sungai Buloh campus.
The “Disability: We Care” conference was organised by UiTM Sungai Buloh dentistry faculty and will end today.
Rohani said the Government started introducing dental care for people with special needs in 2011 and there are now seven public institutions offering these services.
“Now another clinic has been added at UiTM and it is expected to fully benefit those with special needs,” she said.
Star Media Group is a staunch supporter of prevention of bullying campaigns such as #StandTogether.
#StandTogether, a joint initiative by Star Media Group and SP Setia, aims to mobilise communities to organise bullying prevention activity in schools every first week of April.
The first #StandTogether week will take place on April 26, 2018.
To find out how you can support the campaign and help end bullying in schools, go to fb.com/StandTogetherMY or contact R.AGE via Facebook Messenger (@thestarRAGE).