For many years, news reports about bullying and sexual harassment in schools has troubled Malaysians.

Most of us thought, wrongly as it turns out, that the Unity Government’s Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, would be rightly placed to deal with the mounting horrors that our children are subjected to, when they go to school.

However, we were left disappointed. Some of the bullies were themselves from the teaching fraternity.

We hear of sexual harassment of student against other students, or teachers against students. There was a gang rape last week and Fadhlina shocked and angered Malaysians, when she said the alleged rapists could continue with their examinations.

What sort of deterrent is this? How does Fadhlina think the rape victim feels?

Perpetrators are seen to be given a second chance with their education, whilst the victim is left to deal with the trauma or her ordeal, and to pick up the pieces of her life. Or stay calm and attend lessons, or even turn up for an exam.

When will the minister send a clear message that this form of action will not be tolerated and those found guilty will not get any form of sympathy?

On 14 October, we were shocked to read about the Education Minister Director-General (DG), Azam Ahmad’s admission that numerous sexual harassment and bullying cases in schools have been “swept under the rug.”

What he told us is both alarming and deeply revealing.

Who authorized “sweeping these cases under the rug”? The school? The teachers? The head? Were they afraid the school’s reputation would be damaged? Were victims ashamed to admit being sexually harassed and abused?

Did the education department neglect to mention these cases because of reputational damage?

Was it the ministry, which for the same reasons did not want to invite criticism that such heinous crimes are happening at an alarming rate?

Azam’s boldness in confronting an issue that has festered for years exposes a long-standing culture of silence and negligence within the Education Ministry.

Although he is relatively new to the job. in the three months since assuming his post, Azam has done what others, and this includes Fadhlina, the Minister of Education, have failed to do for years.

Malaysians have valued the truth, data collection, and accountability.

Azam’s statement also stresses the urgent need for leadership change at the highest level of the ministry.

It is alleged that parents believe the Education Ministry is rather complacent.

Cases of bullying and sexual misconduct have repeatedly surfaced, only to be dismissed, ignored, or buried under layers of bureaucracy.

The DG’s remarks confirm what teachers, parents, and students have whispered for years, which is that the system itself has protected perpetrators rather than victims. It is as if they want to give the perpetrators a second chance.

Azam’s words, “This is like an atomic bomb just waiting to explode,” should serve as a national wake-up call.

If such issues are allowed to persist in secrecy, the consequences will be catastrophic, not just for victims but for the moral foundation of our education system.

Azam’s proactive approach is to be praised, because in just three months, he has gathered extensive data and taken public responsibility for addressing these problems.

Malaysians would like to see officials taking decisive action to prevent more bullying, abuses and harassment. We do not want our schools and educational establishments to become breeding grounds for fear, trauma, and impunity.

When cases such as the recent gang rape of a Form Three student in Melaka emerge, it is not just a failure of individual schools—it is a failure of national policy and leadership.

We have seen a failure to address systemic bullying and harassment. Perhaps, the ministry will claim that steps have been undertaken but the reality is that the cases appear to be on the rise, if we were to gauge from the newspaper reports.

Azam’s comments also highlight the changing nature of student behavior in today’s digital world. With the “overflow of information,” as he described it, young people are exposed to both positive and harmful content.

It is critical that schools become not just places of academic learning but can also provide safe environments which promote empathy, respect, and character.

Such changes require leadership that is honest, courageous, and reform-minded. Both students and parents, including the school establishments have not really seen these at the ministerial level.

The Education Ministry should implement transparent reporting mechanisms, independent investigations, and clear consequences for school administrators who either ignore or dismiss complaints, because they may want to protect the school’s image.

It is only through honesty and accountability that we can restore public trust.

Azam’s openness has been of immense benefit to the nation since becoming DG.

We need to protect our children and perhaps, the time has come for Fadhlina to step aside and allow leaders like Azam Ahmad, people who are willing to face uncomfortable truths, to steer the ministry forward.

Students deserve protection, not politics. Inaction has already destroyed too many young lives.

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)