The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday launched a ‘Bantu, Empati, Sayangi, Tanggungjawab’ (BEST) programme at the main hall of the Department of Curriculum Development to address the growing concerns for bullying in schools nationwide.
The launch of the programme coincided with the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying, set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on every first Thursday of November.
Present to launch the initiative was Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, who is also the chair for the National Commission of Brunei Darussalam for UNESCO.
The ministry hopes to spread information and raise awareness on bullying among the school community through activities such as briefings on policies and guidelines regarding school bullying as well as the role of the school in prevention efforts.
In line with the BEST programme, a guidebook was also launched yesterday for school leaders, teachers and counsellors to learn about the various initiatives on awareness, prevention and recovery in the Sultanate.
Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah handed over the guidebook, along with anti-bullying posters and leaflets, to school leaders under the MoE as well as representatives from the Islamic Studies Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The programme, said the MoE in a statement, also looks to educate students on the importance of self-control, help them to identify the various types of bullying in school and raise awareness on the effects of bullying on the victims.
The ministry plans on holding the BEST programme annually as its continuous effort to provide students with a safe environment to learn and thrive. – James Kon
