SHAH ALAM, Aug 29 — The Selangor government will introduce two new initiatives to tackle bullying in schools more proactively, amid a rise in student-related cases.
State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the programmes are peer support groups and enhancing teachers’ competencies in handling bullying incidents.
She said the initiatives under the Selangor Mental Sihat (Sehat) module will incorporate anti-bullying measures, emotional education, and early mental health interventions for school students.
On the support groups, Jamaliah said the programme aims to provide a safe space for victims to share their experiences and receive support from their peers.
"As a start, the initiative will be implemented as a pilot project in selected secondary schools, particularly boarding schools and those identified with high bullying incidents.
"The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department (JPN) and educational psychologists involved in the development of the Sehat module," she said in a statement today.
Jamaliah said the peer support groups will be guided and monitored by school counsellors to ensure victims receive proper support and direction.
On improving teachers’ ability to handle bullying, the councillor said the state government is considering a training module to equip teachers, especially counselors and discipline staff, with the skills and knowledge needed to address bullying more effectively and comprehensively.
The training aims to deepen understanding of the root causes of bullying, the factors that discourage victims from reporting incidents, and to strengthen mastery of existing guidelines for managing bullying misconduct in schools.
"In collaboration with the Selangor JPN, the module will be implemented as a pilot project in selected schools. If the initiative proves effective in reducing bullying risks, its results will be shared with the Education Ministry as a proposal for nationwide implementation.
"Details of the new module are currently being reviewed and will be announced soon, ahead of its official rollout in the near future."
Sehat was first introduced by the state government in 2021 to promote awareness, early prevention, and access to mental health support for all segments of society.
Meanwhile, Jamaliah expressed grave concern over the recent spike in school bullying cases and reaffirmed the state's commitment to addressing the issue comprehensively.
"The state government takes all forms of violence, bullying, and harassment against students in educational institutions seriously, and emphasised that student safety, emotional well-being, and mental health are non-negotiable priorities.
"As a caring government, the Selangor state government is committed to being a catalyst for systemic change to strengthen student safety, mental health, and overall well-being."
Previously, on August 25, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek revealed that 6,528 bullying cases were recorded in schools in 2023, rising to 7,681 in 2024.
She said in view of this, the federal government is currently studying a proposal to enact a dedicated Anti-Bullying Act to address bullying cases.
Several high-profile bullying cases have been reported in recent months, including that of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died on July 17, allegedly after being bullied.
