These 7 rules in DepEd’s new anti-bullying policy could keep kids safer in schools
Photo by EDCOM 2.
In a bid to curb bullying in schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday approved the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2023.
“Ang eskuwela ay lugar ng pagkatuto, hindi ng pang-aapi. Wala dapat puwang ang bullying sa kahit anong sulok ng ating mga paaralan at lipunan [Schools are places of learning, not of abuse. Bullying should have no place in any corner of our schools and society],” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement.
The announcement comes days after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address where he urged for solutions to address bullying and its role in worsening the education crisis in the country.
In the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) published by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, the Philippines recorded the highest rate of bullying among all participating countries. A staggering 65% of Filipino students reported being bullied at least a few times a month, with 40% experiencing it weekly or more.
In the latest PISA 2022 results, while there was a slight improvement, one in three Filipino students still report being bullied regularly, with 43% of girls and 53% of boys. This is more than double the OECD average of 20% of girls and 21% of boys.
Despite PISA reports indicating a strong correlation between experiencing frequent bullying and lower academic performance in reading, math and science, the report found that most principals felt bullying had a minor or no effect on education outcomes, indicating educators’ limited awareness of educators on the prevalence of bullying occurring in schools.
With the new bullying policy, many are hopeful for an improved and safer learning environment.
What are the key points?
Here are the seven salient provisions of the new anti-bullying IRR:
- All schools are now covered – even overseas
For the first time, the IRR explicitly includes all public and private basic education schools, community learning centers (CLCs), and even DepEd-supervised Philippine Schools Overseas and International Schools. No child, no matter where they study, should be left behind when it comes to protection.
- Bullying defined more broadly, with early signs identified
The revised IRR expands the definition of bullying to include not just physical violence, but also precursors, early signs such as repeated taunting, gender or religious discrimination, online harassment and acts that cause emotional harm or social exclusion. Even if there’s no bruising, the emotional toll counts and must be addressed.
- Standard policy for all
To ensure consistency, DepEd will now cascade a Standard Anti-Bullying Policy that all schools must adopt and implement. This ends the patchwork of vague or inconsistent policies and ensures every school has clear rules and systems in place.
- Everyone’s roles are now in black and white
Teachers, principals, learners, parents and even substitute parents now have clearly defined roles and responsibilities under the new IRR.
- Introduces a Learner Formation Officer (LFO)
Each school must now designate an LFO, the go-to person for bullying concerns. Serving as the first point of contact in bullying cases to ensure immediate response and investigation, the LFO will be trained to receive reports, coordinate interventions and connect students with the right support systems.
- Detailed complaints and appeals process
The new policy provides for the Rules of Procedure in commencing and hearing of bbullying complaints, including the necessary procedure and periods for appeal. Once a report is filed, a school is given 30 days to investigate and resolve the case.
- Faster case management system
The revised policy clarifies the mechanisms for handling bullying incidents.
For its part, DepEd is also continuing its efforts to strengthen Child Protection Committees (CPCs), the committee handling bullying cases in schools, and will provide technical assistance to ensure these mechanisms are effectively implemented.
The updated anti-bullying policy is set to be published in the Official Gazette and circulated to all DepEd regional and division offices in the coming days.
