ILOILO City – In school year 2021-2022, the Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas recorded 57 cases of bullying in public schools.
Here is the breakdown of the total cases per category:
* physical bullying – 32 cases (23 males, nine females)
* social bullying – nine cases (five males, four females)
* gender-based bullying – seven cases (five males, two females)
* cyber bullying – eight cases (four males, four females)
* retaliation bullying – one case (male)
Explained DepEd-6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr., “Sadtu wala in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ti, pagbalik nila (to school for face-to-face classes), kis-a may aggressive behavior.”
Social bullying may begin with simple teasing that escalates into something hurtful, said Escullar.
Some misunderstandings or miscommunications may lead to physical bullying or physical contact, he added.
Cyberbullying, meanwhile, extends to social media platforms, said Escullar.
DepEd actions
Once bullying is reported, the Local Child Protection Committee will conduct a separate interview, both with the victim and parents and with the bully and her or his parents as well.
Escullar said if the victim is injured as a result of physical bullying, treatment costs must be covered by either the school or the bully’s parents, depending on the agreement of both parties.
Both the bully and the victim are also encouraged to seek advice from the school guidance counselor.
For cyberbullying, the bully will be told to take down or delete harmful social media posts.
What if the case is unmanageable at school level?
If such happens, school heads will refer the case to the social welfare and development office of the concerned local government unit, Escullar said.
“Now, DepEd has zero tolerance on bullying. Every time may information nga may gina-bully or naga-bully, waay naton ina gina-take for granted. Gina-investigate sang local child protection committee sa schools, and once ma-verify ang veracity sang information, then naga-step in ang pag-address,” said Escullar.
He also said DepEd-6, headed by Regional Director Ramir B. Uytico, is implementing the MATATAG Agenda under concurrent DepEd secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“MATATAG” stands for:
* MAke the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens.
* TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and the provision of facilities.
* TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment.
* Give support to teachers to teach better.
Quitting school due to bullying?
The DepEd-6 is doing its best so that no learner, victim or bully will quit their studies because of bullying.
An option to protect the victim is to transfer to a nearby school.
“We know nga once maggwa sila sa aton schools, mangin miembro sila sang aton out-of-school youth, and we don’t want that to happen. That’s why all necessary interventions and coordination gina-obra gid naton,” said Escullar.
He encouraged bullying victims to report to their school heads or teachers for proper intervention.
Escullar assured the confidentiality of the information provided by the victim or parents./PN
