The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called on the government to prioritize and strengthen the Safe School initiative in the 2026 budget.
In a statement, the office of the Suhakam children’s commissioner stressed that sufficient funding must be allocated to repair and upgrade aging school facilities, improve learning tools, ensure schools nationwide meet safety standards, and expand anti-bullying campaigns.
“Schools must also provide a safe environment for students’ mental and emotional well-being,” the statement said, adding that more investment in mental health services is needed. This includes placing additional school counsellors and psychologists in high-need areas, as well as providing accessible mental health hotlines for young people. Awareness programmes for parents, teachers, and students were also recommended to reduce stigma and foster a culture of care.
The call comes amid a rise in bullying cases, including the recent death of a Year Four student in Senawang, which is being investigated under Malaysia’s anti-bullying law. In a separate case, several schoolmates of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir were charged with verbal bullying.
The children’s commissioner’s office also highlighted the urgent need for more resources for child protection officers, social workers, children’s shelters, and violence-prevention programmes, stressing that the full implementation of the Child Act 2001 remains overdue.
“Without proper funding for protection, children remain vulnerable to harm that threatens their rights and dignity,” it warned.
The statement further urged the government to address child poverty through enhanced social protection measures, including increased cash assistance for low-income families and wider access to nutritious school meals.
Support for school-based health services and primary healthcare in underserved areas should also be a priority, with Suhakam emphasizing that tackling malnutrition and obesity through preventive health programmes is key to building a healthier future generation.
“Every ringgit allocated to children is an investment in building a stronger, safer, and more resilient Malaysia. Investment in children must be the nation’s highest priority,” it said.
