TEACHERS should not be solely blamed for incidents of immoral behaviour among students, as the responsibility must also be shared by parents, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said weaknesses in the national education system inherited from the past had created ‘flaws’ by focusing primarily on academic knowledge while neglecting the inculcation of principles, ethics and moral values among students.
Anwar said such shortcomings have contributed to cases of misconduct in schools, including recent incidents of bullying and sexual assault.
“I emphasise that the issue of bullying arises because our education emphasises knowledge, not values, morals or ethical principles. So there is a flaw,” he said during the monthly assembly with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) today as reported by Bernama.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The prime minister expressed hope for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, parents, and the community to address these weaknesses and nurture a generation that is not only knowledgeable but also morally upright
“Hopefully, we will have the determination to do what is best for our families, our society, and our country,” he said.
Recently, police confirmed that four 17-year-old male students, who are scheduled to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next month, were remanded for six days for allegedly raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Alor Gajah last week.
Following the incident, the Education Ministry announced it is implementing comprehensive reforms to strengthen student safety and discipline, including a proposal to draft an Anti-Bullying Act under a tribunal system currently being reviewed by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU). - October 13, 2025
