Rokiah Mahmud
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has undertaken several measures to address and prevent bullying in schools.
Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said this in response to a question raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal on the issue.
The minister explained that among the key measures identified is the need to diversify delivery methods on the issue of bullying among students, school teachers and the community.
Coordination of knowledge on the issue can be made via student’s early education, of which the topic ‘Free Bully’ can be adapted or absorbed to the national education curriculum as early as Year 4.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham added that measures also include the Brunei Bully Free programme which should be carried out through school and community outreaches nationwide.
Since 2018, the Health Promotion Centre specifically under the Mental Health Strategy Unit has conducted a Brunei Bully Free programme at almost 50 primary and secondary schools in the country.
According to the minister, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the unit also collaborated with counselling teachers both at government and private primary and secondary schools in organising the Brunei Bully Free event.
However, only two workshop sessions were conducted for Cluster 1 to 3 before the country experienced the second wave of the pandemic.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham shared that talks and briefings related to the programme are also being held at ‘ad-hoc’ level and invitation from primary, secondary and religious schools as well as higher learning institutions across the country.
He added that close cooperation with the Ministry of Education is also being carried out, while ensuring referral for students would be made easy. Talian Harapan 145 and Talian Anak 121 are hoped to assist children suffering from bullying and mental issues.
The minister advised the importance of whole-of -government and whole-of-nation approaches to assist those in need.
