Schools gearing up to instil kindness in kids
Almost 3,000 people have signed up for the student-driven social project
PETALING JAYA: Schools across Malaysia are gearing up for one of the biggest student-driven social movements this year – the
#StandTogether National Kindness Week, which will take place on April 1-5.
Nearly 3,000 people including students and teachers have registered for the campaign, which will see “Kindness Projects” being organised in schools, led by the students themselves.
“We’re planning a whole week of activities in our school, so students are kept occupied in a fun and positive manner.
“We believe that if we are consistent with these (kindness) activities, students will associate being kind with fun,” said SMK Sri KDU student Siti Anastasia Norbasha, 17.
The school’s student-led activities include a Kindness Jar, where students are encouraged to leave positive messages for friends and teachers and a “Guardian Angel” mentorship programme that pairs Form One students with senior prefects.
“It’s so important for students to feel safe in their schools because it’s where we will spend 11 years of our lives, and this is where we develop our personalities and confidence.
“A kind school environment will result in a kinder society one day – everything starts here in school,” said Siti Anastasia.
SMK Convent Green Lane student Julia Hannah Zulkifli, 16, agrees.
Her team is preparing an ambitious series of National Kindness Week activities for the students there, including an online quiz on the school’s staff and the launch of an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that will allow students to share their problems safely and anonymously.
“Asa Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya member, I make it a point to find out what problems the students here are facing, and try to help,” said Julia.
“But I noticed that many of them don’t want to talk about their problems with me. That’s why I came up with the idea of an app.
“Hopefully the chatbot, along with all the other activities we’re conducting next week, will help create a happier, more close-knit school.”
Teachers across the country have spoken out about the importance of the campaign, as students are increasingly being exposed to hateful messages on social media, which has led to an increase in cyberbullying.
“As teachers, we can try to make schools kinder, but we have no control over social media where students face all sorts of negative comments, which is also a type of bullying,” said SR Stella Maris teacher Vashugi Venugo.
“That’s why kindness programmes like the
#StandTogether National Kindness Week are important – they teach students to be kind both offline and online. If we want the world to change, first we must change ourselves.”
Teachers and principals who registered their schools to observe National Kindness Week received free #StandTogether resources and materials, developed by experts to help reduce bullying and create a more positive environment in schools.
The #StandTogether National Kindness Week was initiated by R.AGE and property developer SP Setia in response to a spate of deadly bullying cases in 2017, as well as a reported increase in online bullying among students.
The campaign is now endorsed by the Education Ministry, which has encouraged all schools to observe the first week of April as National Kindness Week.
“We are committed to developing individuals who are not only knowledgeable and competent but also possess moral values and positive attributes that will contribute to peace and the betterment of society,” said Education Ministry’s Educational Planning and Research Division assistant director Fakhriyyah Muhardi.
“The National Kindness Week is a great medium to instil these positive attributes among the school community and provides a good platform for students to help create a culture that promotes kindness, understanding and empathy in school.”
Teachers or principals that wish to register their schools for National Kindness Week can go to www.standtogether.my, or email the #StandTogether team at alltherage@thestar.com.my.