Anwar Ibrahim calls for stronger PIBG role to tackle school bullying

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for the empowerment of Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG) to combat bullying and student misconduct in schools. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar emphasized that addressing these issues is not solely the responsibility of teachers and schools, as many incidents occur outside of school hours.

To increase parental engagement, the government has proposed that certain types of aid, previously transferred directly to bank accounts, could instead be distributed to parents through schools. This measure aims to encourage parents to visit school premises, thereby facilitating better interaction and engagement with teachers.

Anwar noted that while many PIBG units are active, parental participation in school activities remains limited. He also highlighted that tackling bullying—including physical, verbal, non-verbal, and cyberbullying—requires a combination of education and the cultivation of moral character and manners. Data indicated that 5,681 cases of misconduct and bullying were reported between January and August this year, though the actual figure is believed to be higher.