The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to revise the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to impose better protection for students.
Earlier this week, EDCOM 2 submitted its proposed revised IRR to the DepEd, suggesting a more effective and proactive measure to combat the prevalence of bullying in schools. The revisions aim to address “significant shortfalls in the current implementation,” including comprehensive updates to better protect students.
The data from PISA 2022 indicated that 43% of girls and 53% of boys in the country have admitted to being victims of bullying acts at least a few times a month. The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019 also found that 63.2% of Grade 5 students in the Philippines encounter bullying at least once a month.
“Despite the existence of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, implementation has been uneven, largely due to limitations in policy scope, variations in school practices, and a significant shortfall in trained personnel,” EDCOM 2 stated.
“For instance, there is a severe shortage of guidance counselors in the country impacting the effective execution of anti-bullying measures,” it added.
Moreover, EDCOM 2 highlighted that the Child Protection Committees (CPCs), which are responsible for acting as anti-bullying committees, often struggle to do their functions effectively due to the lack of personnel and resources.
Another challenge seen is the underreporting of school bullying incidents in the country. According to EDCOM 2, this is influenced by the incentive system that rewards schools for reporting “zero cases” of bullying. Therefore hampering effective interventions and accurate reporting.
Additionally, DepEd found a lack of clarity in school handbooks for disciplinary acts on bullying.
To address the issue, EDCOM 2 proposed that the functions of the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) be formalized, so that efforts to combat bullying across all education levels are monitored. The LRPO would be in charge of maintaining bullying reports, including the implementation of anti-bullying policies.
From there, schools will be required to submit detailed and annual reports on bullying incidents.
The EDCOM 2 also aims to address the shortage of registered guidance counselors nationwide through the integration of guidance designates and school counselor associates. According to EDCOM 2, this will help bolster the support system available within educational institutions.
The proposed amendments align with RA 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. The act institutionalizes comprehensive mental health initiatives for basic education institutions, to “foster awareness, prevention, and support for the well-being of students.”
“We want to ensure that every school or classroom is a safe space where every student can thrive without the fear of bullying and harassment. Strengthening our policies and introducing actionable measures, we hope that learners can feel secure in their learning environments,” EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said.
