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A group of teachers echoes the call to stop school bullying. File photo. MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of teachers on Tuesday called on relevant government agencies to strengthen the enforcement of policies against bullying in schools, especially after several cases of severe bullying across Metro Manila.
The Teachers Dignity Coalition made the pronouncement amid a Senate panel hearing investigating the rising cases of bullying in the Philippines. READ: Fully implement GMRC in schools, DepEd told amid spate of bullying According to the coalition, the hearing is “crucial” as an “immediate response” in understanding the root causes of school bullying. It also allows authorities to gather insights from key stakeholders, especially after recent incidents of bullying in Metro Manila schools.
The most recent cases were in Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City and Moonwalk National High School in Parañaque City. “These cases reflect the urgent need to strengthen our collective efforts to protect children and ensure their safety in schools,” the TDC said in a statement. “While several policies are already in place, such as the DepEd (Department of Education) Child Protection Policy, the Anti-Child Abuse Law, the Anti-Bullying Law, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, these recent cases highlight the gap in enforcement and the importance of shared responsibility among all sectors of society,” it added.
The incident in the Parañaque high school resulted in the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old female student, perpetrated by a 15-year-old male classmate. READ: Killing of student in Parañaque took less than 2 minutes – principal Meanwhile, a viral video from Bagong Silangan High School showed three female students taking turns pulling a student’s hair. READ: Gatchalian wants Senate probe into bullying in Bagong Silangan High School According to the TDC, the DepEd and other relevant agencies must now also prioritize the implementation of Republic Act No.
12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which provides for stronger and more accessible guidance and counseling services in our public schools. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .
It then also called on parents to ensure that their children are taught discipline and value formation, emphasizing that preventing bullying requires a collective approach involving families, schools, communities, the media, and government institutions..
