[OCC] Media Statement No. 53-2026_PISA 2025 Findings on Bullying: Children’s Safety, Dignity and Wellbeing Must Be Prioritise

KUALA LUMPUR (11 SEPTEMBER 2026) – The Children’s Commissioners (CC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) takes serious note of the findings on bullying and cyberbullying contained in the Early Report on Malaysia’s Achievement in PISA 2025 issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE), as well as the recent statement by the Minister of Education concerning these findings.

The report records that 27% of Malaysian students reported being victims of at least one form of bullying several times a month or more, compared with 20% across OECD countries. The report also found that 44% reported being made fun of by other students, compared with 35.1% across OECD countries; 37.6% reported that other students spread nasty rumours about them, compared with 26.6%; and 12.4% reported being threatened by other students, compared with 12%. Of particular concern is the finding on cyberbullying. 5% of Malaysian students reported that hurtful information about them had been posted online without their consent, compared with 3% across OECD countries.

These findings must be understood not merely as a matter of school discipline or management, but as a child protection, safety, dignity and wellbeing concern. Every child should be able to attend school and participate in education without fear, intimidation, humiliation, violence or harassment. A safe learning environment is fundamental to children’s ability to learn, develop and participate meaningfully in education.

CC are particularly concerned about the implications of cyberbullying. Bullying is no longer confined to the physical school environment. As highlighted by the Minister of Education in her recent comments on the PISA findings, technology can allow harassment to continue after children return home, including through phones, chat groups and other digital spaces. The Minister also emphasised that students’ safety and wellbeing are closely linked to their ability to learn and develop.

Addressing bullying therefore requires a whole-of-system and whole-of-society approach. It cannot be the responsibility of MOE and schools alone. Parents and guardians have an important role in providing guidance, values and positive behaviour at home. Communities must foster a culture of care, empathy and responsibility, with members of society embracing a ‘jiwa pendidik’ – a willingness to guide, educate and protect children wherever bullying occurs.

All government agencies also have a role to play, according to their respective mandates. Bullying involving children may extend beyond education and require coordinated responses relating to child protection, mental and psychosocial wellbeing, digital safety, law enforcement and other areas. The private sector, including relevant digital and technology stakeholders, must likewise contribute to creating safer environments for children, particularly in the digital sphere.

CC therefore call for continued and strengthened efforts to prevent bullying and cyberbullying, identify cases at an early stage, ensure safe and accessible reporting mechanisms, protect children who report bullying, prevent retaliation or further victimisation, provide appropriate psychosocial and other support, and ensure that complaints are handled promptly and effectively.

Children must be able to speak up safely. They must know where to seek help when they experience or witness bullying, and their concerns must be listened to and taken seriously. No child should be blamed for reporting harm or placed at greater risk because they have sought protection.

TRIBUNAL FOR ANTI-BULLYING

CC also wish to highlight the Tribunal for Anti-Bullying (TAB) as an additional avenue for victims of bullying to seek justice and appropriate remedy. The TAB, established under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 [Act 876], provides a simple, speedy and cost-free avenue for justice in respect of bullying incidents occurring after 1 March 2026. The Tribunal has jurisdiction over complaints concerning bullying that causes physical, psychological or social harm.

Complaints may be made to the Tribunal for Anti-Bullying in respect of bullying incidents occurring after 1 March 2026 at the following contact details:

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

11 September 2026