CHR supports DepEd's initiative to combat bullying in schools
Do young schoolchildren know what bullying is and which actions constitute bullying?
Cambridge Dictionary defines bullying as “the behavior of a person who hurts or frightens someone smaller or less powerful, often forcing that person to do something they do not want to do.”
Since acts of bullying have increased in number, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has been worried about the mental and emotional health of students since bullying directly impacts their academic and non-academic performances.
This is why the CHR lauded the Department of Education's (DepEd) initiative to train teachers and parents on how to spot the "red flags" of bullying among their students and children. The DepEd project would help determine learners who require intervention so that teachers and parents can identify and address bullying issues among students.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte stated in November 2023 that DepEd received 1,709 reports of various forms of abuse against students through the Learner's Telesafe Contact Center Helpline.
If these reports prove anything, it's that bullying has become an urgent concern in schools and communities, the CHR said. "These incidents cause stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, which impede students' overall development and learning dynamics," it said.
The CHR said: "It is essential that educational institutions and learning facilities be established as safe spaces for students, vehemently rejecting all forms of harassment and abuse. Such behaviors directly infringe on children's fundamental rights, limiting their access to equal educational opportunities."
It noted that DepEd's initiative to train teachers and parents in recognizing the indicators and signs of bullying among students is very commendable, as it demonstrates the government's proactive approach to prioritizing mental health as an essential component of each student's overall development.
"Bullying, harassment, and other forms of abuse have no place in sanctuaries of learning," the CHR stressed. "Furthermore, we reaffirm all Filipinos' basic right to mental health, as well as the fundamental rights of those in need of mental health services," it also said.