GEORGE TOWN: Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye says a special task force should be set up to look into the problem of bullying in schools.
He said the rise in bullying cases of late warranted action on the part of the Education Ministry.
He said video footage that had gone viral recently showed that such “acts of violence” were not confined to boys, but involved girls as well.
“This is a serious matter which warrants the ministry to do a thorough study into the causes of these acts of bullying that are on the increase in schools today.
“Is it due to lack of discipline among students or external factors, such as what they see on the outside, including television, that are influencing them?
“Or could it be due to stress among students?
“As I said, all this needs very thorough studying.
“I am sure that the ministry is able to get the experts.
“The Parent Teacher Associations must also be involved because their children may be the victims or the perpetrators,” he said at a motivation camp for UPSR students organised by the Eco World Foundation, here, today.
Lee, who is the chairman of the foundation, said schools were not only for educating students to be good academically. He said character development was equally important.
“The inculcation of noble values are also in schools where students are taught noble values... but to what extent are students putting it into practice? I think these things are very important.”
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recently issued a stern warning to the public not to spread video footage of a student being bullied as it had the potential to fuel racial sentiment.
Lee said Eco World Foundation was committed to helping students under its Student Aid Programme (SAP) despite funding challenges in the current uncertain economic situation.
He said the foundation spent about RM4 million a year on its SAP to support 3,000 students nationwide, from the primary to tertiary levels.
Some 381 students in Penang have benefitted from the SAP.