Joniston: Make Anti-Bullying Programmes available in Every School

10 September 2025

KIULU: Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has issued a call for schools to make anti-bullying education a priority, warning that the issue can no longer be ignored if children are to grow up in safe, supportive environments.

“Bullying ,whether in the classroom or online , leaves scars that can last a lifetime. Schools must take the lead by embedding anti-bullying campaigns into their programmes. We must teach our children to choose kindness, reject exclusion, and stand up for one another. This is not an option, it is a necessity,” Joniston declared when launching the Perkhemahan Perpaduan MADANI Unit Beruniform Sekolah Rendah Negeri Sabah 2025 at SK Taginambur.

He reminded educators and parents that character education is just as vital as academic achievement.

“Examinations may shape a career, but values shape a person. If we fail to instil empathy and compassion, we fail our children,” he said.

Joniston also highlighted the urgent dangers posed by the digital age, including cyberbullying, scams and harmful content.

He called on parents to take an active role in guiding their children’s online activity.

“Monitoring gadget use is no longer a choice, it is a responsibility. If we do not step in, we risk losing our children to the perils of the internet. Early intervention is the key to keeping them safe,” he stressed.

Pointing to the camp’s wider objectives, Joniston said that school initiatives like Perkhemahan Perpaduan MADANI not only instil discipline, teamwork and leadership but also foster unity across diverse backgrounds.

He encouraged students to take pride in Sabah’s natural beauty and cultural richness, becoming ambassadors for the state’s tourism in years to come.

“Let this be our pledge — to raise a generation that rejects bullying, embraces kindness, and builds stronger communities. Together, schools, parents and leaders must act now,” Joniston urged.