31 bullying incidents take place daily in schools – report

MANILA, Philippines - Some 31 incidents of bullying are reported every day in schools, Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. said yesterday, citing a Department of Education report.

“A total of 6,363 cases of bullying in public as well as private elementary and high schools were recorded in 2014, up nearly 21 percent versus the 5,236 documented in 2013,” he said.

“Based on a cycle of 201 school days, this translates to at least 31 incidents of bullying every day,” he said.

He surmised that the number could be more. 

“We presume that out of fear of possible retaliation, many victims are still reluctant to complain of bullying in school,” he added.

To discourage bullying, Gullas called on schools to reinforce their child protection committees (CPCs).

“We are not sure if all schools have already activated their CPCs, which are supposed to deal with cases of bullying as well as child abuse (in school),” he said.

“The DepEd should also adequately train a greater number of school officials in child protection,” he said.

The DepEd first ordered the creation of CPCs in every school when it issued Department Order 42 on May 14, 2012 and adopted its policy and guidelines on protecting children in school from abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse.

The six-member CPC is composed of the school head as chairperson, guidance counselor/teacher as vice chairperson, a representative of teachers designated by the faculty club, a representative of parents selected by the Parents-Teachers Association, a representative of students named by the Supreme Student Council, and a community representative assigned by the barangay head, preferably a member of the barangay council for the protection of children.

The DepEd, in its report to the House of Representatives, separately logged a total of 228 cases of “child abuse” in schools in 2014, down from the 999 incidents listed in 2013.

A total of 1,165 incidents of bullying plus 291 cases of child abuse were reported in 2012.

Under the Anti-Bullying Law of 2013, or Republic Act 10627, schools are required to notify law enforcement authorities if they believe that criminal charges under the Revised Penal Code may be pursued against the perpetrator, notify parents or guardians of the perpetrator and take appropriate disciplinary action.