KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- School bullying can no longer be seen as an isolated problem, instead, it demands a comprehensive shift in narrative by ending the culture of finger-pointing among various parties.
Taylor’s University Malaysia School of General Studies and Languages (SGSL) lecturer Dr Sharala Subramaniam said the primary focus should be on improving the education ecosystem rather than placing blame, especially after a surge to 5,681 bullying cases recorded in the first eight months of this year.
"The most critical question now is not just who is at fault, but why this continues to happen and what we can collectively do to stop it.
"Bullying is not solely a school issue, it involves a broader ecosystem encompassing students, families, schools, peers, society, and the digital world. We must shift from a culture of blame to one of responsibility," she said.
Sharala said this when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's ‘Malaysia Petang Ini’ programme, which discussed the topic, ‘Buli Di Sekolah: Jangan Lindungi, Jangan Sembunyi’, today.
She said in line with the ‘Do Not Protect, Do Not Hide’ principle, schools and parents must play their part by not concealing or covering up bullying cases merely to safeguard reputations and good names.
She said an institution's reputation would not be tarnished simply by acknowledging a problem exists, rather, its standing would erode if the issue is known but left unaddressed without follow-up action.
"Schools that dare to report, investigate, and take action show the system is working. Openness must go hand in hand with transparency, fairness, and swift action," she said.
Commenting on the role of peers, she said every student must be educated not to fear reporting bullying cases. Ensuring a safe environment is created to guarantee that the voices of whistleblowers are heard and protected.
"We need to foster a culture where reporting bullying is not seen as snitching or meddling but rather that speaking up to protect others is an act of courage and peer responsibility," she said.
Touching on the growing complexity of cyberbullying across platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and online gaming, she highlighted the importance of instilling digital empathy in the younger generation.
She added that while technology evolves rapidly, core values like mutual respect, empathy, and responsibility must remain central.
-- BERNAMA