BIDOR: All schools must use awareness campaigns as one way to curb bullying, says Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

       The Deputy Education Minister said that schools must place emphasis on the campaign that is usually carried out together with the police school liaison officers when they reopen.

       "The Ministry is very concerned about bullying cases, and awareness must be instilled from the very beginning itself," said Dr Mah

       "We have measures in place to curb such incidents, and from time to time, the ministry studies, and reevaluates existing steps in place," he added when speaking to media after the groundbreaking ceremony of a new building at SMJK Choong Hua here.

       He said that schools are always advised to carry out such awareness programmes regularly, especially boarding schools.

       Dr Mah said that the Ministry has four core elements in place to deal with bullying

       The elements are awareness, reporting, punishment as well as monitoring in schools.

       "The ministry has a specific guideline on the four elements mentioned, and we always take efforts to further enhance it," said Dr Mah

       "Having a safe, peaceful and harmonious schooling environment is always on the ministry’s priority list," he added.

       At the event, he lauded the school for taking the effort to build a new school building.

       He said such initiatives were in line with the ministry’s objective to continuously upgrade infrastructure for students.

       "The ministry always focuses on the importance of safety, cleanliness as well the health of students," he added.