The Philippines has shown the highest prevalence of bullying and loneliness in the world, according to the data from the Program from International Student Assessment (PISA).
During the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) press briefing, they mentioned the alarming cases of bullying in the country, and how it affects student performance in schools. A study by PISA found that bullying incidents threaten the safety and well-being of learners. Most of the cases also go underreported despite the enactment of the Anti-Bullying law in 2013.
Students who experience bullying were also reported to have lower points in subjects like Math, Science, and Reading. Therefore, a student’s academic performance is also influenced by external factors such as their environment.
“Kasi iyong school environment kung hindi mo feel na safe ka doon, paano ka magpo-focus sa pag-aaral mo ‘di ba kung lagi kang naghihintay ng paraan para madepensahan ang sarili mo,” EDCOM II Executive Director Mark Yee said.
DepEd Secretary Angara added that teachers should also be one of the student’s lifelines whenever they need someone to turn to. Just like guidance counselors, faculty members are also responsible for their student’s well-being.
The lack of Guidance Counselors
Besides the mismatch in teaching positions for teachers, the lack of Guidance Counselors in schools is also one of the main issues that needs to be resolved.
There are currently 5,000 vacant positions for guidance counselors. However, because of the strict educational requirements and licensure examinations, fewer people are opting to pursue careers in the said field.
DepEd is proposing a temporary solution to the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to let graduates of guidance and counseling, psychology, and other related fields, occupy the vacancies without the requirement of a master’s degree.
When dealing with bullying, students may turn to guidance counselors for help. However, the large sum of vacant positions, adds to the challenges faced by students. PISA’s research findings indicate a great decline in student’s well-being when they are targeted by bullies.
“Filipinos who are bullied often deal with mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, and experience both traditional physical bullying and relational cyberbullying,” PISA wrote.
Additional factors that influence bullying also include psychosocial issues and the learner’s environment, like school safety, relationship dynamics, and their attitude toward bullying.
Anti-bullying policies in schools
The high numbers of bullying do not stop with school environments, as cyberbullying cases are also included. Director Yee said that one of the main issues with this is that schools do not have a firm foundation on the Anti-Bullying Policy, as the law does not indicate the level of strictness they need.
Additionally, the department would monitor the existing policy on the use of smartphones and cellphones in the classroom.
“Part of the teacher’s duty is to explain to students iyong proper use of technology and cellphones – meaning, kasama doon siguro iyong learning to deal critically with news ‘di ba – hindi lahat nang mabasa mo ay tama; tapos, also is observing good manners and right conduct hindi lang sa personal dealings po pati through technology,” Angara emphasized.
(Part of the teacher’s duty is to explain to students the proper use of technology and cellphones — which includes learning how to critically deal with the news — as not everything we read is factual. Observing good manners and the right conduct doesn’t end with personal dealings, but also includes the use of technology)
