Malaysia expands school CCTV installation to combat bullying

The Malaysian Ministry of Education is expanding the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to 333 schools this year. This initiative aims to eliminate ‘blind spots’ that could facilitate bullying incidents.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek stated that the surveillance will focus on high-risk areas such as staircases, corridors, preparation rooms, and remote locations. She emphasized that while CCTV is a key tool, it is not a ‘magic solution,’ and the ministry will supplement technology with increased human monitoring and security expertise from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

To address safety in hostels, the ministry is utilizing over 10,000 hostel wardens and 300 hostel warden assistants to enhance nighttime monitoring. Fadhlina reaffirmed the ministry’s zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, noting that existing guidelines have been strengthened through the 2023 Bullying Misconduct Management Guidelines.