A RECENT bullying incident involving two students of a prominent school invites to review a lot of things. It is timely, first and foremost, to reiterate for the sake of the public, what the law says on bullying. Secondly, it is also important to rethink or at least reflect on the way we react to incidents that could easily flare up our emotions.
It has been five years since RA 10627 aka Anti-Bullying Act has been implemented. It requires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address bullying. It was on December 23, 2013 when DepEd through D.O. No. 55, s. 2013articulated the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 10627. In particular, it defines bullying as “any severe, or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property.”
The IRR mandates both public and private schools to implement the anti-bullying policy primarily for preventive measures. As much as possible, schools should not only take action when arms and emotions are broken. Part of the mandate is to engage parents in coming up with preventive and punitive measures. In a country where bullying is like a virus that has inflicted almost everyone, including the Chief Executive of the republic, fiercer should be our resolve not to tolerate all forms of unnecessary harm.
Oftentimes it is easy for people to accuse a school for failing to do what it ought to do. But having worked in the academe for eighteen years now, all I can say is that there are so many things that happen in school that are beyond the control of its administration and teachers. The school can only go as far as trying its best to educate and use all possible technological advancements to prevent things from happening. In the end, individuals are responsible for their actions, be it in the form of active commission or (passive) omission. CCTVs can only record the acts of the thief or deter at most, the choice to steal is subject to the moral discernment of the thief.
Apparently, a bully is not born overnight. He is a product of his circumstances and this basically means his home or family. Home and school collaboration should be strengthened. Students’ behavioral problems cannot be solved or addressed exclusively by the school. I guess problems happen when parents start believing that the school functions like a “one store has it all” service provider. I am referring to the attitude of some who thinks that the school is a yaya, nurse, physician, counselor, confessor, chaplain and even love-on-the-air consultant rolled into one. True, schools are supposed to provide these services but they are only in support of the person’s ongoing psychosocial needs, which basically start at home. Needless to elaborate education is mainly an act and a concern of the family, and the school is its professional support system.
As for the school, it is duty-bound to come up with well-designed student formation programs and disciplinary measures that should be credible. The challenge of schools is how to not just produce beautifully written policies but also implement them with utmost seriousness and prudence when circumstances require.
This brings me to my final point: culture. All things have a context. When things happen, they happen within a context and because of the context. Bullying is a specific form of violence. What I’m saying therefore is this: increase in bullying incidents is an indication that a culture of violence is getting stronger.
Unfortunately, violence has a lot of factors and sources. Unregulated use of social media, the words and expressions we approve and tolerate, and even the kind of activities that we glorify or award. We live in a world for example where a boxing champ is a hero. But seriously, is boxing a sport that should be glorified in the first place?
Preventing and minimizing bullying is a challenge. A serious response to it cannot just be made through a memo. It requires us to do self-criticism including the way we talk and speak. It requires all of us to be conscious that violence isn’t just an act; it is first and foremost a mindset and a way of looking at things that translates into words, actions, decisions, and dealings with others. Our response when someone is bullied makes a difference. Our action or silence in the face of violence speaks volumes of who we are and what we value.