Lok said this in response to the latest case reported in a school in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
A 14-year-old boy had to undergo cranial surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain after he was allegedly beaten up by his seniors. Four students have been detained over the case.
“Both teachers and parents are very upset about all bullying cases taking place in schools.
“Day in day out, we hear about students being bullied. Furthermore, bullying these days are hardly normal cases – children actually get seriously hurt.
“We need firmer action taken against these student bullies, especially secondary school students,” Lok told FMT.
Yesterday, The Star reported that the 14-year-old victim underwent surgery at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar and doctors told the father that the boy would “not be as normal as before” due to the head injury.
Lok said the boy and his family’s life would “never be the same” again because of the bullies.
“It is high time we looked at bullying in a more serious manner. Children should know the consequences of their actions. Nobody should protect them if they choose to be bullies.
“They need to know that it could be a criminal case, especially if they are secondary schoolchildren. They need to know that if they harm people, they cannot get off lightly,” said Lok.
She also urged the Education Ministry to have more anti-bullying campaigns, but in a more serious manner.
“Do not just remind the students. Let them know that they can face serious penalties.”
According to Lillian Ang, a former discipline head in a secondary school in Subang Jaya, teachers’ “powers” are limited as the students are overly protected by their parents.
She said severe punishment would not bode well with some parents.
“We all know this, especially in places like Subang Jaya. When a student breaks the rule, teachers would first think about his parents before punishing him.
“It is an unspoken truth,” said Ang.
She explained that teachers would rather avoid “getting in trouble” with a student’s parents rather than punishing students. Younger parents are not as open-minded about physical punishment as parents of previous generations.
“Caning? When did you last hear about a student being caned in school? It is almost against the law now; a student gets caned and it becomes news because the parents make noise.
“Yes, teachers need to get to know their students better. They should care more and pay more attention. But, at the same time, if you talk about more severe punishment, you are going to have to deal with the parents.
“In a perfect world, I can say that the parents should be educating their children not to be bullies to begin with, but it is not a perfect world,” said Ang.