Bullying: Settle cases at district or state level, says minister

Mahdzir Khalid says there is no necessity to bring them to ministry level or set up special unit to handle these cases.

PADANG BESAR: Cases of bullying in schools should be resolved by the school concerned, the district education office or the state Education Department, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said today.

He said there was no need to send such cases to the ministry to be settled.

“What is important is for the school, the district education office (PPD) the state Education Department (JPN) to be firm, even if to a stage of expelling the student.

“There is no need to say sorry or to apologise,“ he told reporters after opening the Padang Besar Umno divisional delegates conference here today.

Likewise, he said, the setting up of a special unit to address the problem was also unnecessary as the existing procedures were adequate.

He said the school, PPD and JPN have the power to make decisions on the matter.

He was responding to questions on cases of bullying involving school students.

On another development, Mahdzir said the education department in all states had been instructed to monitor the weather conditions in their areas and to take necessary preparations in case of floods to ensure students were able to sit for their Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), to be held soon. - FMT