JUST recently, a bullying incident involving a young martial arts expert from a known school in the country’s capital went viral in social media.
The Department of Education (Deped) once again reminds the public and private schools nationwide to review Deped issuances and other legal bases from existing laws in the country involving the incidents.
During our recent Regional Management Committee Meeting presided by Regional Director Alberto T. Escobarte, Ceso III, he reiterated the above issuances and directed us to conduct inventory on the local child protection policies and bullying incidents reports. This is the full text of the said official statement from DepEd found in its website http://www.deped.gov.ph:
The Department of Education (Deped) reminds all public and private Kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools of the necessity and importance of adopting and enforcing anti-bullying policies in their respective institutions.
Deped Order No. 40, series 2012, or the “DepEd Child Protection Policy,” institutionalized zero tolerance against any form of violence against the child and provided for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee (CPC) in all public and private schools.
Deped Order No. 55, series 2013 (DO 55 s. 2013), or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627 (R.A. 10627) Otherwise Known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013,” on the other hand, requires all public and private schools to submit a copy of their child protection or anti-bullying policy to the Division Office. The same shall be submitted to the Regional Director in addition to the requirements for an application for permit to operate and/or recognition as prescribed by the existing rules of the Department.
Rule IV of DO 55 s. 2013 underscores that the bullying prevention program in schools shall be comprehensive and multifaceted, and shall involve all education stakeholders and personnel. Schools shall develop intervention strategies like counseling, life skills training, education and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and psychosocial well-being of victims, bullies, and other parties who may be affected by the bullying incident.
Private schools that fail to comply with the requirements of R.A. 10627 or of the IRR may face penalties under the law.
The Department also encourages learners who experience or witness bullying, abuse, or retaliation to speak up and report verified incidents to their peers, parents, teachers, and the appropriate authorities for proper intervention. Any information relating to the identity and personal circumstances of the bully/ies, the victim/s, or the witness/es shall be treated with utmost confidentiality by the CPC and the school personnel.
This Corner hopes that said policy will be implemented strictly to diminish, if not eradicate bullying incidents in schools.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019 to one and all!