Dean: Culture of respect can curb bullying

KUALA LUMPUR: A culture of respect and understanding among students can curb disciplinary problems such as bullying.

HELP University dean of psychology Dr Goh Chee Leong said bullying could be prevented by promoting a culture of respect in schools and beyond.

“It can start at school, where teachers teach older students to take care of and be responsible for the younger students.

“This culture of respect and kindness must be embraced by Malaysians.

“In time, it will replace the culture of bullying and cruelty,” said the former president of the Malaysian Psychological Association.

Dr Goh said the prevalence of bullying appeared to have become more serious now due to the advent of technology which allowed people to share such incidents.

He said students became bullies due to many underlying factors.

“Some students were once bully victims, so the cycle of violence continues when they take out their anger and frustration on others at a later stage.

“There are those with narcissistic tendencies who enjoy having control over others.”

Malaysian Association of Psychotherapy president Dr Edward WengLok Chan said its members were stepping up efforts to promote awareness on treatments available for bullies and their victims.

“At the same time, we provide training skills for the prevention of bullying.”

He said schools should conduct extracurricular classes to teach assertive skills and emotional intelligence to the students.

“Through psychotherapy, we hope to help bullies identify their maladaptive emotions to adaptive and healthy emotions.”

Former Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan recipient Tengku Azuan Tengku Mohamed said it was unfair for the public to put the blame entirely on teachers.

“Everybody has to play a role in tackling bullying. Teachers cannot control every single thing that happens during school hours, more so after school.”