Education gap can widen as bullying case numbers rise, says Syed Saddiq

KUALA LUMPUR: A lawmaker said the gap between public and private education may widen as more parents consider private schools due to rising bullying in public schools.

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda–Muar) said parents who rely on public schools could be disadvantaged as these institutions are often their only viable option.

“As a product of national primary school, secondary school and public university, I am deeply concerned whenever there is a viral bullying case,” he said.

“In reality, children from affluent families have options such as international schools, private schools or schooling abroad,” added Syed Saddiq.

He added during the 13th Malaysia Plan debate on Wednesday (Aug 13) that for children from underprivileged families, public schools are their only gateway to lift their families out of poverty

Syed Saddiq then said that the divide in educational quality is growing and risks creating a two-tier system for the rich and the poor.

He said data shows even middle-income families are now willing to spend a significant share of income on private education and added that bullying reports have surged from about 300 cases a year between 2021 and 2024 to 6,500 cases annually.

“Bullying becomes systemic when wardens neglect duties, headmasters look away to protect reputations and peers normalise traditions from seniors,” he said.

Syed Saddiq then cited the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir and questioned why action required protests and viral attention to change the warden and headmaster.

“There should be timely intervention. Why did it take two weeks to act and what does this mean for parents considering boarding schools,” he said.

He said school administrations should be held accountable similar to parents when neglect leads to harm.

“We need to ensure school management carries responsibility for protecting our young,” he said.

Syed Saddiq said public schools need comprehensive support such as adequate warden allowances, retrained counsellors and CCTV to deter bullying.

“If bullying occurs, action must be taken from top to bottom so no support system stands idle,” he said.

He said free and quality preschool education should be provided and sufficiently funded for universal access.

“Free preschool will guarantee equal access to quality learning before primary school,” he said.

He said reforms must ensure every child has access to the best teachers, nutritious meals and quality education regardless of background.

“We need to ensure national schools remain the top choice for all families,” said Syed Saddiq.