Anti-bullying measures in schools paying off

THE number of bullying cases in schools dropped by 600 last year from 2016, says Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan.

He said 2,795 bullying cases were recorded last year, against 3,448 cases in 2016.

“In such a short time, we have managed to lower the cases.

“We are in the process of achieving success in zero bullying, but this requires the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Hasan Arifin (BN-Rompin) on the steps taken to curb bullying in schools, he said the ministry took proactive measures to achieve its goal of zero bullying and curb student misconduct.

This included working with other ministries, government agencies and private corporations to promote anti-bullying programmes.

“The ministry is open to any agencies that are willing to work with us on this,” he added.

Among the initiatives he listed was working with private companies such as the #StandTogether initiative with Star Media Group Bhd and property group SP Setia.

Kamalanathan said the ministry was also working closely with the police and armed forces to address discipline and misconduct among students outside of school.

The ministry also said in a written reply to Tan Kok Wai (DAPCheras) that more than 90 teachers had been referred to psychiatrists in government hospitals for treatment for depression.

The ministry added that its psychological and counselling services section attended to 94 cases of depression from 2016 to Jan 20 this year.

Fifty-four cases were recorded in 2016, followed by 32 last year and eight this year as of Jan 20.

“All of them have been referred to psychiatrists in government hospitals.

“Counsellors in the ministry, state Education Departments and district Education Offices will give guidance using therapy and ensure that the clients are in the best of health and that it does not affect their work,” it said.

Tan had asked for the number of teachers suffering from depression, as well as the reasons for it.

“Among the causes of their depression are genetics, divorce, tragedies or chronic illness,” the ministry said.