Concerns over bullying in Malaysian boarding schools have intensified following recent student deaths attributed to violent incidents. A Form Two student died last month amid reports that a Form Four boy may have been involved, and shortly afterward, a 16-year-old female student also lost her life. These events have reignited calls for urgent reform to address student safety in the country’s residential education institutions.

Professor Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi, an academic at UCSI University, has called for comprehensive measures to combat bullying and enhance security in these schools, which he identifies as more manageable to regulate due to their relatively limited number—around 160 nationwide. He recommends an immediate six-month closure of all boarding schools for thorough safety audits conducted by independent professionals, rather than by school or Education Ministry officials, whom he argues lack proper qualifications for this task.

Among the safety improvements proposed are the installation and continuous monitoring of CCTV systems staffed by dedicated personnel working in teams, scheduled patrols of school grounds multiple times daily and nightly, and potential use of drone surveillance. Rasdi emphasizes the necessity of strict supervision to prevent unsupervised interactions between junior and senior students, asserting that all extracurricular activities must involve adult oversight, with teachers held accountable for any incidents occurring under their watch.

In addition to physical security, Rasdi highlights the need for better administrative accountability. He suggests instituting policies that would demote administrative staff if serious bullying resulting in bodily harm occurs during their tenure, citing an apparent lack of existing mechanisms ensuring staff responsibility for student welfare beyond academics.

Furthermore, Rasdi advocates for mandatory child psychology training for boarding school teachers, focusing on identifying potential bullies and vulnerable students. He urges regular private interviews—quarterly at minimum—between form teachers and students to assess wellbeing and detect early signs of bullying, with provisions for counseling involving parents when warranted. He dismisses previous strategies such as punitive catchphrases like “you touch, you go” as ineffective in curbing escalating violence.

The professor also calls for a revamp of the boarding school admissions process, proposing that behavioural assessments be incorporated alongside academic criteria. He warns that prioritizing grades over character may admit students prone to aggression and bullying, which contributes to the unsafe environment.

Rasdi’s proposals culminate in a call for a nationwide suspension of boarding school operations until all safety protocols are implemented, safety audits passed, and robust administrative and disciplinary frameworks established. He stresses that protecting students from preventable harm should be a top national priority, noting that each loss is one too many.