Anti-Bullying Act (RA 10627) and DepEd's Anti-Bullying Initiatives

Anti-Bullying Act: RA 10627

  • Brief background of the law (RA 10627), also known as the Anti-Bullying Act.
  • Department's directions related to the Act.
  • Ways to contribute to anti-bullying advocacy.

Learner Rights and Protection Office

  • The speaker represents the Learner Rights and Protection Office.
  • Learner's TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline:
    • Website.
    • Email: weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph.
    • Mobile numbers.
    • Landline number.

DepEd Policies on Learner Rights and Protection

  • Overview of various policies addressing different issues in basic education.
  • Reporting mechanisms for victims in basic education.
  • Discussion of the prevalence of bullying and current challenges.
  • Emphasis on the need for resources like advocacy materials and training.

Trigger Warning

  • Discussions involve experiences in basic education (grade school, high school).
  • Support offered for those who have experienced bullying.
  • Reporting bullying incidents to DepEd.

Main DepEd Policies

  • Three main policies related to learner rights and protection:

DO 40 series of 2012: DepEd Child Protection Policy

  • Applies when the perpetrator is a DepEd personnel or school staff member.
  • Examples: teacher verbal abuse, psychological violence, abuse by school head. Cases involve an adult against a learner.
  • All policies have legal bases and references.

DO 55 series of 2013: Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act (RA 10627)

  • Key reference material for addressing bullying.
  • Context: basic education (learner against learner).
  • Covers peer-to-peer abuse (learner against another learner).
  • If the offender is a teacher or school personnel, DO 40 applies, not DO 55. The act is considered abuse, not bullying.

DO 18 series of 2015: DepEd Guidelines on Managing Child at Risk and Children in Conflict with the Law

  • Related to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
  • Applies when a crime is committed (e.g., bullying that escalates outside school).
  • Age-related considerations for criminal liability:
    • Below 18 years old: discernment is assessed for those aged 15-17.

Focus on DO 55 series of 2013 (Anti-Bullying IRR)

Data on Bullying

  • Data received through the DepEd helpline.
  • National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest number of bullying cases, followed by Calabarzon and Region 3.
  • In NCR, Quezon City has the highest number of reported cases.

Implication of Data

  • High reporting in Quezon City indicates awareness of rights.
  • Most prevalent type of bullying in Quezon City is physical bullying.
  • Need to strengthen preventive strategies in highly urbanized areas.
  • Low reporting in regions such as BARMM, Region 12, Caraga region suggests the need for stronger advocacy and campaigns.

Opportunities and Challenges

  • Integration, Clear and consistent protocols:
    • Need for clear and consistent protocols (handbooks, codes of conduct).
    • Expectations from students.
  • Engage learners, school personnel, parents, and community in bullying interventions (campaigns, information dissemination via social media).
  • Integration of anti-bullying concepts in the curriculum.

Learner Consultation: Key Points

  • Bullying is not petty and must be acted upon.
  • Learners' feelings need to be acknowledged.
  • Misconception that teachers can commit bullying (addressed by clarifying peer-to-peer nature of bullying).
  • Need for materials on proper reporting channels and distinctions between bullying and abuse.
  • Some learners lack close family members to report concerns.
  • Bullies should be held accountable and penalized (e.g., suspension).

Effects of Bullying (as per Learner Consultation)

  • Worsens self-esteem and diminishes social skills.
  • May result in mental health problems.
  • Bullies may become egoistic.

Sample Program: Safe Space Society

  • Learner-led initiative to raise awareness about bullying and child rights.
  • Strategies include social and behavioral change communications materials (posters, audiovisual presentations).

DepEd's Current Directions in Bullying Prevention

  • Anti-bullying concepts and rights-based education are already in the curriculum.
  • Embedded in subjects like Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), values education, and homeroom guidance.
  • Key Stage 3 strategies: lectures, discussions, reflective writing assignments, role-playing, project-based learning, and service learning.

Integration in School Activities

  • Performance tasks include reflections, journals, and projects related to learner rights and protection and anti-bullying.
  • National Children's Month (NCM) is celebrated every November with various programs and activities.
  • Creation and distribution of materials for bulletin boards and classrooms.

Training Programs

  • In-person training for school personnel on improving anti-bullying strategies.
  • Training on how to act during and witness bullying incidents.
  • Teaching children's rights.

Revision of IRR of RA 10627

  • Focus on the role of the discipline officer.
  • Improving the definition of bullying.
  • Defining roles of key DepEd offices.
  • Establishing degrees of bullying with explicit sanctions.