Bullying in Malaysia Must Be Stopped, Says UNICEF | KiddyNews

UNICEF is calling for urgent action to stop bullying in schools across Malaysia. Robert Gass, UNICEF’s representative in Malaysia, said the issue puts children’s safety and happiness at risk—and can even lead to very serious consequences.

What the Numbers Tell Us

• According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, 8.6% of children reported being bullied in just one month.
• In a 2017 UNICEF survey, children ranked bullying among their top fears—showing they feel unsafe speaking up.

What UNICEF Wants to Make Schools Safer

UNICEF says schools must be places where students feel safe, happy, and respected. To make that happen, UNICEF recommends:

• Setting up safer ways for kids to report bullying—like a friendly hotline or trusted adult.
• Making stronger school rules that all teachers follow.
• Training teachers to respond with empathy and understanding, so children don’t feel scared when telling.
• Boosting support systems with social workers and school counsellors to help children in need.
• Tackling violence both in person and online, and promoting a culture of care and respect.

Plus, UNICEF reminds us that bullying isn’t just something done by bad kid, it’s a behaviour that must be addressed with kindness and fairness, giving bullies a chance to learn and change. It means that bullying is not just a school problem, it’s everyone’s problem. Therefore, all must work together in kindness to curb this issue.

Why This Matters

• When schools are safe, children can learn and grow without fear.
• Kids who bully also need guidance—because with the right support, they too can learn kindness.
• Parents, teachers, and classmates all have a role to play in building a culture of respect and care.

As UNICEF reminds us: “Every child has the right to feel safe, happy, and respected in school.”