Recognizing the impact of bullying on students’ lives, the Department of Education (DepED) strengthens further its campaign on bullying reduction in schools by urging stakeholders to “get involved.”
“Every contribution, whether it's taking part in a school or community event, looking out for someone being bullied, or raising awareness through conversation makes a difference and changes lives,” said Child Protection Unit (CPU) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and Director III Suzette Gannaban-Medina said in a statement issued Monday, Nov. 14.
Medina also urged stakeholders including school officials, teachers, parents, and the learners themselves to take an active role to curb bullying in schools. “Look for ways to get involved,” she added.
DepED, through the CPU, formally kicked off the celebration of this year’s National Children's Month (NCM) with discussions on the prevention of bullying as well as ways to ensure child welfare in schools.
Among the highlights of this year’s NCM celebration is the launch of DepED’s bullying prevention campaign which will help strengthen the role of child protection committees and promote community participation in promoting children's rights and protection.
During the virtual kick-off program, representatives from the CPU and Youth Formation Division (YFD) of DepED along with Stairway Foundation, Inc. discussed the topics of understanding learners' self-concept, safe spaces in school settings, bullying prevention, and child participation and youth concerns.
In line with the national theme, “Kalusugan, kaisipan, at kapakanan ng bawat bata ating tutukan!” DepEd's NCM celebration will cover the four categories of children's rights, including survival rights, development rights, participation rights, and protection rights for the entire month of November.
“The virtual kick-off program manifests DepEd's renewed focus and sustained efforts to invest in our learners and increase their awareness of the importance of mental health,” said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte in a video message.
Special celebrations for children will be held in each DepED regional office, schools division office, and school.
DepED noted that the 30th NCM also aims to recognize the severity of mental health concerns among children before and during the Covid-19 pandemic and to address and improve the mental health of Filipino children through activities that address categories of children's rights --- among others.
“I am positive that this celebration of the 30th National Children's Month will spark more meaningful initiatives to create an informed, highly self-aware generation of learners,” Duterte added.