Unicef urges Sabah to mandate anti-bullying policies in all schools

 By Olivia Miwil

June 5, 2026 @ 12:31pm

The Sabah government should require all schools in the state to adopt anti-bullying policies to improve children's wellbeing, according to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). — PIC BY UNICEF

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government should require all schools in the state to adopt anti-bullying policies to improve children's wellbeing, according to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).

The recommendation is among the findings of Unicef's 228-page Sabah Child Wellbeing Index report, which surveyed 4,441 children aged between six and 17 across the state.

The study, conducted jointly with the Sabah Economic Planning Unit, found that protection from bullying, safe commutes and online safety remain key challenges for children and teenagers in Sabah.

Of those surveyed, 798 children — most of them aged between six and 12 — said they had experienced bullying or harassment within the past year.

"This policy must be guided by a review of internal school standard operating procedures to understand how these correspond to the current national legislative framework.

"Teachers and educational staff must be trained on the purpose of this policy.

Train teachers to facilitate open classroom discussions on the issue of difference, problem solving, conflict management, as well as celebrating successes," the report said.

To strengthen children's emotional awareness and resilience, Unicef also recommended incorporating social-emotional learning into Moral Education classes and co-curricular activities.

"Children, parents, teachers and community members must be engaged in the school community to shift social and cultural norms, to ensure schools are safe spaces for learning.

"Specific attention should be paid to measures addressing bullying based on disability-related stigma and ensuring support is accessible and targeted to children with disabilities," it said.

The report also found that only 59.4 per cent of children commute safely to school and other essential destinations.

It recommended safer and more accessible transport infrastructure, supervised school transport services and accessible rest stops, particularly in areas where children face greater risks.

On online safety, Unicef said parents should be equipped with greater digital literacy and awareness of online safeguards to better protect children.

The full report is available on Unicef Malaysia's website.