BULLY NOT IN SCHOOL

MA. THERESA V. REYES

EVERYONE has the right to be respected, whether young or old; rich or poor; regardless of one’s gender. But sad to say, as we read the newspapers and as we watch televisions many cases of bullying are still existing, just like the incident which was recently happened in Ateneo De Manila University. A student bullied another student created scandal on social media where many netizens expressed furious reactions against the student who bullied his fellow Atenista.

Bullying is usually defined as an aggressive behavioral pattern among schoolaged children and teenagers that implicates apparent power imbalance. This is mostly happening in school between student to student, teacher to student or vice-versa. In this regard, to protect anyone from being a victim, a Republic Act No. 10627 otherwise known as Anti- Bullying Act of 2013 was enacted where elementary and high school should adopt the policies to address the existence of bullying in their respective institution.

Some people think that bullying is just a normal part of growing up among children, without knowing its implications. Bullying makes people embarrassed, upset, lonely, frightened and sick. It has a great effect on the part of the students who was bullied for it loses their confidence and a victim may not want to go to school anymore. It can even lead to more serious concerns for if the pain is not relieved it can lead to violent behavior or committing sui ci de.

The Department of Education keep a keen eye of this issue. In response, it urged all the schools to raise awareness regarding this matter through various programs and activities. Integration of bullying in the curriculum as it may deem appropriate. Schools are also mandated to conduct the Annual Campaign of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) where bullying is one of the issues which can be discussed among the children, teachers, parents and all the community people to raise awareness.

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The author is Master Teacher I at Laput Elementary School, Mexico North District