(Eagle News)—The Department of Education on Monday, Dec. 24, said the bullying incident in Ateneo captured in a now-viral video should serve as a wake-up call for people to take bullying seriously.
In a statement, the DepEd said bullying is a “societal issue that demands the cooperation of teachers, parents, school administrators, community members, and even the media to instill among learners the culture of peace and the value of respect for one another.”
As such, it said the DepEd “hopes for strengthened coordination, consultation, and exchange of experiences between and among the public and private schools to address all forms of violence against children.”
It also urged private schools to “align their anti-bullying policies with that of the Department, as mandated by law, specifically Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, issued through DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2013 and reiterated in DepEd Memorandum No. 5, s. 2017,” and to ensure compliance with the Child Protection Policy.
“Most importantly, the Department reiterates the role of peers and teachers in stepping in and anticipating possible incidents of violence against children, and in taking action as quickly as possible before matters get out of hand,” the DepEd said.
On Sunday, Ateneo announced it dismissed its junior high school student, who was seen physically assaulting a schoolmate in the viral video.
The same boy was seen physically and emotionally assaulting other students in at least three separate videos that have also gone viral.
