‘One uniform SOP for all’ proposal to tackle bullying

 Ex-deputy education minister says the various ministries must adhere to a '24 hours to respond, seven days to investigate, 14 days to action' policy.

Former deputy education minister P Kamalanathan said there is a need to focus on teaching children how to communicate as many lack ’emotional literacy’.

PETALING JAYA:

A former deputy education minister has called for a “uniformed SOP” to deal with bullying in schools and higher learning institutions following the recent death of a Form 2 student.

P Kamalanathan said the education, higher education, and defence ministries have different SOPs at the moment.

“We need one national anti-bullying SOP with a clear timeline: 24 hours to respond, seven days to investigate, 14 days to action,” he said in a statement.

Kamalanathan, who held the post from 2013 to 2018, said there is a need to focus on teaching children how to communicate, and instill empathy.

He said that based on his research, many children lack emotional literacy.

“We teach them STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), but we must also teach them how to communicate respect, how to be an active bystander, and how to seek help,” he said.

He said there was also a need to review the warden-to-student ratio in fully residential schools, empower counsellors, and make the portal to report bullying truly anonymous and child-friendly.

Last year, it was reported that three wardens were assigned to every 50 hostel students.

“Early detection protocols should be put in place where teachers can identify the issue before the bullying starts. Teachers and counsellors should be the backbone of prevention in schools,” he said.

His proposals come in the wake of a student’s death at a sports school in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, on Friday.

Idlan Fareeq Shahril, 14, was found unconscious in the school dormitory before being rushed to Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police, who have detained a student, are investigating the case for murder, with Idlan’s family claiming that he was bullied.

Kamalanathan also called on parents to play their roles as primary caregivers, telling them to pay attention to their children’s behaviour, and help root out bullying at home.

“The school and its staff are here to support, but parents need to do their part, too,” he said. - FMT