The Department of Education on Friday reminded public and private schools to adopt and enforce anti-bullying policies, following the viral video of an Ateneo de Manila University junior high school student that appeared to have bullied a fellow student inside their campus in Quezon City.
The DepEd urged kindergarten, elementary, and secondary public and private schools to implement DepEd Order No. 40, Series of 2012 which institutionalizes zero tolerance against any form of violence against the child and provides for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee in all public and private schools.
The DepEd also cited DepEd Order No. 55, Series of 2013, or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 which requires public and private schools to submit copies of their anti-bullying or child protection policies within six months from the effectivity of the IRR to their 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,” the DepEd said.
DepEd stressed that Rule 4 of the order requires a “comprehensive and multi-faceted bullying prevention program,” which includes education of stakeholders and personnel.
The victims, bullies, and other parties involved in or affected by the bullying incident must undergo intervention strategies to enhance their psychological, emotional, and psychosocial well-being as provided by the concerned schools.
“Private schools that fail to comply with the requirements of RA 10627 or of the IRR may face penalties under the law,” the DepEd said.
The DepEd also encouraged learners, who experienced or witnessed bullying, abuse, or retaliation, “to speak up and report verified incidents to their peers, parents, teachers, and the appropriate authorities for proper intervention.”
Ateneo de Manila University president Jose Ramon Villarin said that an investigation is already ongoing and that they are “not treating this matter lightly.”
Villarin noted that Ateneo Junior High School principal Jose Salvador has issued a statement saying that they “had launched an investigation into the matter.” However, he noted that since then, “more videos have come to our attention.”
“I would like to assure everyone that our investigation is ongoing and that we are not treating this matter lightly,” Villarin said. He also said that the Ateneo Junior High School Committee on Discipline has been “meeting since the incident was reporter and has been conducting all the inquiries we need to come up with a decision on the matter.” (Ina Hernando Malipot)
