(Eagle News) — The Department of Education on Friday, Dec. 21, reminded all public and private schools of the “necessity and importance of adopting and enforcing anti-bullying policies” in their respective institutions.
The DepEd issued the reminder after at least four videos of an Ateneo Junior High School student physically and verbally assaulting other students went viral on social media.
According to the DepEd, DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2012, or the DepEd Child Protection Policy, “institutionalized zero tolerance against any form of violence against the child and provided for the establishment of a Child Protection Committee.”
DepEd Order No. 55, series of 2013, which provides for the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, on the other hand, the DepEd said, requires all public and private schools to “submit a copy of their child protection or anti-bullying policy to the Division Office…,” which “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 Rule IV of DO 55 series of 2013 also emphasizes that “the bullying prevention program in schools shall be comprehensive, multifaceted and shall involve all education stakeholders and personnel,” and that the schools should develop “intervention strategies like counseling, life skills training, education and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and psycho-social wellbeing of victims, bullies and other parties who may be affected by the bullying incident.”
“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.
