HULU SELANGOR: Bullying cases in schools across the country dropped to about 3,000 cases last year compared to 4,000 recorded in 2014 said Deputy Education Minister Datuk P Kamalanathan.
He said the decline was the result of prevention efforts undertaken by many schools, parents and the Ministry of Education.
“The decline is a good sign in our efforts to combat the culture of bullying in schools, and if possible we want to completely eradicate bullying in schools. However, the ministry is still not satisfied and considers it a serious matter,” he told reporters after opening a new building at SJKT Ladang Kalumpang in Hulu Bernam, near here yesterday.
Kamalanathan, who is also Hulu Selangor MP, said he felt disappointed and saddened by the recent bullying case that saw a student cutting his own tongue in Klang, Selangor.
“I’m disappointed, sad and very shocked because I’ve never heard of a bullying case that involved such a serious act, among school children,” he said.
On Thursday a Standard Two pupil was said to have cut his own tongue when bullied by some students who were a year older to him at a school toilet in Klang.
Elaborating further, Kamalanthan said appropriate action would be taken against the students involved in the bullying case after police investigation reports are obtained.
“The students’ disciplinary records should be reviewed, along with their background and environmental factors, in addition to the influence of peers, before action is taken,” he said.
Speaking of the new building for SJKT Ladang Kalumpang at a cost of RM3.2 million, Kamalanathan said it was part of the 12 schools from a total of 37 SJKT involved in the Special Plan Package 2012 identified under a project to upgrade facilities and infrastructure that have been completed.
Kamalanathan said RM100 million was allocated for the projects in the 2012 Budget, but upon negotiation with the Development Division and contractors, the cost went up to RM216 million.
There are 524 SJKT schools throughout the country.— Bernama