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.