‘Stop bullying before it gets worse’

KUCHING: Bullying cases which is quite alarming in the country will badly affect the country’s future if nothing is done now to arrest the rising trend.

According to the executive secretary of Social Development and Urbanisation Council, Aishah Edris, bullying did not only happen in schools but everywhere during a person’s growing-up years, leaving some of the marks that could not be easily ‘erased’.

“Although a person may be subjected to just one incident, the effect may scar him for life,” she said, adding that several studies had shown that 22 percent of the respondents said that they had been beaten, punched or slapped.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a dialogue session on ‘Avoid Bully’ here yesterday, Aishah said the best remedy to the issue was the proverbial ‘Prevention is better than cure’ application.

“The programme aims to remind everybody especially parents and school officials possible ways to overcome the (bully) problem.

Among them is giving enough attention and care to their children or charges (students) so that they would not resolve to violent action.

“Bullying usually happens when children feel neglected by their parents or by the school authority, especially when both their parents are too busy with their own career and have little time to spend with their children.

The one-day programme was organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation.

The participants included officials from the police, education department, teachers and students from schools in and around Kuching.

Sarawak Tribune
Sunday, 25 July 2010 09:56