By Joyce Anne Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Education (DepEd) underscored that bullying has “no place in schools” as it reaffirmed its push for safe learning spaces for students.
In a statement on Saturday (April 12), the department said it takes every case of bullying “seriously” while conducting swift action and sustained efforts to ensure safe and supportive learning spaces for all.
“Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, principal author of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627), DepEd is pushing forward with a strong and clear commitment to child protection,” it said.
“DepEd remains committed to working with parents, teachers, and communities to ensure learners feel safe and empowered in schools.”
At a Senate hearing on April 8, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Dexter Galban said about 1,314 cases of campus violence had been recorded from Nov. 24, 2022 to April 7, 2025, half of which were committed by a learner.
The DepEd said it regularly conducts a comprehensive assessment to ensure child protection committees in schools are active and effective.
In addition, DepEd expands mental health services in schools and revises the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act and Safe Spaces Act to address modern challenges, such as online harassment and peer violence.
Enhanced training for guidance counselors, child protection officers, school heads, and parents is also underway to strengthen anti-bullying efforts.
Starting School Year 2025-2026, the K to 10 curriculum will deepen values formation and integrate anti-bullying lessons into subjects, such as Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), Values Education, and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, the department said.
Students who bully others, meanwhile, will undergo counseling, focused on empathy, accountability, and behavior change.
Earlier, a case of alleged bullying went viral on social media where a girl was being attacked by several classmates inside a classroom at the Bagong Silangan High School. (PNA)
