UNICEF: Preventing Bullying Through Safe Schools in Malaysia

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malaysia_51549.html

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 26 October 2009 As Head Prefect, Dashenee Huthamaputhiran, 17, is a friendly face around Convent Sentul High School, offering advice to students who break school rules or lending a helping hand to those in trouble.

If she spots any students teasing, harassing or bullying each other, she steps in to help resolve the situation or bring the problem to the attention of her teachers.

These are among the skills that Dashenee learned through the Safe Schools Programme, which is supported by UNICEF in partnership with Malaysias Ministry of Education and HELP University College.

The Safe Schools Programme aims to prevent the occurrence of violence and abuse especially bullying among students in the learning environment. Through seminars and workshops organized at their school, Dashenee and her schoolmates have been empowered to cope with bullying, and to prevent it from going too far.

A safe learning place is every childs right, said UNICEF Representative in Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei Youssouf Oomar.