Enhanced Anti-bullying Hotlines for Students

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Education (Schools) (a) whether anti-bullying hotlines like the Singapore Children's Society's "Tinkle Friend" are publicised to all students; (b) what is being done to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of such hotlines; and (c) whether aggregated and anonymised data from such hotlines can be analysed to determine if there are patterns requiring further intervention.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) works closely with community partners in our efforts to address the bullying issue. For example, the Singapore Children's Society conducts bullying awareness programme for students and training workshop for teachers and school counsellors. As part of these programmes, the avenues for support and the message of help-seeking are promoted.

In schools, the counsellors introduce the various sources of school- and community-based support, including hotlines, to students, staff and parents, via communication channels, such as talks, newsletters and school web portals. In addition, the community partners may refer students back to schools for continual support, where necessary.

These hotlines are run by community partners and voluntary welfare organisations. These help channels allow users to call in anonymously. This could limit the identification of in-depth patterns to inform intervention. If the community partners have studied the data they have, and are willing to share with MOE, we can work with them to improve our intervention efforts.