IPOH: New students entering boarding schools should be given special briefings on how to handle bullies, a Perak assemblyman suggests.

       Trong representative Jamilah Zakaria said such briefings could enhance the students' confidence and self-esteem in teaching them the necessary steps to cope with situations that involve bullying.

       “New students will be prepared to react if they face a bully, and will be in a better position to handle the matter.

       “Many new students are afraid when they are placed in a new environment, and will not dare to speak up in case they become victims of bullying,” she said when contacted on Saturday (Dec 18).

       Jamilah said if such short talks or courses were provided before the students start school, they would know what to do in such situations, for example, how to report bullying to their wardens.

       She said it was important that the relevant authorities took drastic steps to tackle bullying in schools, and these briefings could be part of the approach to curb bullying.

       “New students must be taught how to adapt to a new environment, how to defend themselves, and how to build self-confidence,” she added.

       Jamilah had made this suggestion during the state assembly sitting on Friday (Dec 17), when education committee chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Daud was delivering his winding-up speech.

       Ahmad Saidi said Jamilah's suggestion was a good one, and would be taken into consideration.