KUALA LUMPUR - The bullying culture should be stopped in schools to prevent it from becoming a cancer that spreads all the way to universities.
A father, known as Husin, said he was already under immense stress due to the bullying incident involving his child at a boarding school and wanted a change in tradition and management.
He said that he considered lodging a police report but feared for his safety if his personal details were leaked and reached the school's management.
As a result, he and his wife decided to send a letter requesting an explanation from the school, with a copy sent to the relevant ministry. However, the response was indifferent, as if they wanted the case to be forgotten.
"On the same day, I met with the school principal, who was furious and asked why I had to send a letter. At that moment, I knew the case wouldn’t go anywhere," he said.
Husin said schools should establish an impartial ‘lifeline’ system, without involving the school management, except for counsellors or teachers who had no personal interests.
He said this would facilitate communication for students who wished to report bullying or seek immediate treatment if they were bullied by seniors or higher-ranking officers.
"Sometimes, we can only meet our child once every two to three weeks, or in some cases, even after months. They decide when the students can have time off. So, students have no communication with the outside world as they are not allowed to bring mobile phones.
"I know there are students who don’t feel safe reporting because of the culture. If they report, the punishment for the perpetrator is often not commensurate, for example, just a school suspension. Then, the person who reports the bullying will face even worse consequences.
"It seems there is no effort to educate about the dangers of bullying because senior students are given the power by the coaches to punish juniors," he added.