KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad has cautioned schools against concealing cases of bullying and sexual misconduct, stressing that such behaviour should be regarded as criminal offences rather than disciplinary matters.
According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Mohd Azam said all incidents must be reported regardless of frequency, noting that acts of bullying, sexual harassment and other misconduct were criminal in nature.
He also criticised those who attempted to hide such cases to protect their school’s image.
“If we hide everything under the carpet, it will seem as though everything is fine, but in reality, we know these problems exist. They are like a thorn in the flesh or an atomic bomb just waiting to explode,” he was quoted as saying.
Mohd Azam admitted feeling conflicted about the recent rise in reports of student misconduct, FMT reported.
“In the three months I have been director-general, I have gathered much data about these issues. But in another sense, I am glad because everything that was once hidden under the carpet is now coming out,” he stated.
He said that even if reports of bullying or sexual misconduct surface every day, such reporting is exactly what “needs to happen”.
He added that only with this level of attention can strategies, initiatives and partnerships be developed to take collective responsibility in addressing the problem.
His comments followed public outrage over a gang rape case involving Form Five students in Alor Gajah, Melaka, last weekend and the fatal stabbing of a Form Four student at a school in Bandar Utama this morning.
