THE Education Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students across Malaysia, following reports of 2,889 bullying cases and 3,570 instances of criminal misconduct in schools last year.
In a written parliamentary reply dated 24 February, the ministry emphasised that such incidents are treated with the utmost seriousness and that no compromise will be made on disciplinary breaches in educational institutions.
"The bullying incidents comprised 740 cases in primary schools and 2,149 in secondary schools. Meanwhile, the criminal misconduct involved 457 cases in primary schools and 3,113 in secondary schools," the ministry stated.
Schools have responded with a range of measures proportionate to the severity of each case, including verbal or written warnings, detention, caning, suspension, and expulsion.
The ministry noted that 2024 recorded the highest number of bullying incidents to date, with 7,681 cases reported—1,992 in primary schools and 5,689 in secondary schools.
The increase, it said, reflects heightened awareness and improved compliance among students, teachers, and school administrators following the issuance of Professional Circular No. 12 of 2023.
Under its Safe School initiative, the ministry requires schools to maintain stable physical, social, and emotional environments for all members of the school community.
To enforce this, nationwide security audits have been conducted, covering 1,758 schools as of 19 November.
The ministry has also reviewed and strengthened standard operating procedures addressing bullying and sexual misconduct, while reforming complaint mechanisms to protect the identities of both complainants and witnesses.
Investments in school security infrastructure include RM3 million for closed-circuit television systems in 200 hostels, with an additional RM5 million approved this year to extend coverage to 333 more boarding schools.
To support student welfare, 523 new guidance and counselling teachers were appointed last year, and 600 hostel assistant wardens will soon join schools to bolster supervision during night hours.
The ministry collaborates closely with police school liaison officers, who conduct regular visits and monitor complaints submitted via student complaint boxes.
Looking ahead, the ministry is implementing immediate reforms to existing systems, strengthening the Safe School framework, and expanding educational programmes through cross-ministerial collaboration with the Health Ministry, Home Ministry, Communications Ministry, and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, alongside parents’ associations, community groups, NGOs, and private sector partners.
“These initiatives are being implemented intensively and continuously in collaboration with state Education Departments and district Education Offices to ensure effective implementation across all 10,245 schools nationwide,” the ministry said.
“We will systematically monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures to ensure safer, more conducive learning environments for students.”
The update followed a question from V Ganabatirau, the Member of Parliament for Klang, who inquired about the total number of bullying and criminal cases recorded nationwide and the responses taken by schools. - February 25, 2026
