INTERVENTIONS VS BULLYING

AMY L. MENDEZ

The Department of Education wants to train teachers and parents to spot red flags of bullying in schools so that they can tell if their children need intervention. According to the agency, the training is part of the agency’s efforts to provide immediate interventions to Filipino learners involved in bullying incidents. The DepEd has already identified pilot areas where training for teachers and parents will be conducted. The agency is currently reviewing mechanisms to prevent bullying in schools, and needs to gain parental support to address the issue that has an adverse impact on the bullied students’ mental health. The DepEd said addressing bullying can’t just be their responsibility. There is a need to engage parents and the communities to reduce if not to eliminate bullying in schools. The agency is also improving its reporting system, considering that most of the complaints lodged before its Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) are related to bullying. When it comes to such reporting system, though, two things need to be considered — resolving cases and underreporting. This is why the DepEd needs to make sure that its system is accessible to everyone, even to anonymous complaints because many are afraid to make a complaint. The Department also has to make sure that people are really being encouraged to report. Students may directly report to the DepEd any abuse or violence they have experienced in schools, including cyberbullying.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Gerry H. Rodriguez High school