The office of the Suhakam children’s commissioner said that strengthening the initiative required allocating sufficient resources to repair and upgrade aging facilities and learning tools, ensure that schools nationwide meet safety standards, and fund anti-bullying advocacy efforts.
“Schools must also provide a safe environment for mental and emotional well-being,” it said in a statement.
It said the 2026 budget should expand investment in mental health services for children by ensuring that more school counsellors and psychologists are placed in high-need areas.
The Suhakam children’s commissioner’s office also said the government must ensure that accessible mental health hotlines are available for young people, and awareness programmes are developed for parents, teachers, and students to reduce stigma and build a culture of care.
Cases of alleged bullying have been making headlines, with the death of a Year Four student at a Senawang school recently probed under the anti-bullying law. Several schoolmates of the late Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir have also been charged with verbal bullying.
The Suhakam children’s commissioner’s office added that more resources were needed for child protection officers, social workers, children’s shelters, and preventive programmes that address violence against children.
It said this would pave the way to strengthening child protection services and the full implementation of the Child Act 2001, which it said was long overdue.
“Without proper funding for protection, children remain vulnerable to harms that undermine their rights and dignity,” it said.
It also highlighted the need to end child poverty and support disadvantaged families.
“Budget 2026 should enhance social protection for children by increasing cash assistance to low-income families and expanding access to nutritious school meals for those in need,” it said.
Support for school-based health services and primary healthcare facilities in underserved areas should also be given focus in the federal budget, it said.
“Addressing malnutrition and obesity, together with preventive health measures, will help Malaysia build a healthier generation capable of reaching their full potential.
“Every ringgit allocated to children is an investment in building a stronger, safer, and more resilient Malaysia. Investment in children must be the nation’s highest priority.”