DepEd to clamp down on school bullying with revised, stringent IRR

Joseph Azil Buena

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara signed the updated Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 on August 4, aiming to promote a more secure and welcoming school environment for students across the Philippines.

Under the new anti-bullying measures, all public and private schools, including community learning centers, must implement a Standard Anti-Bullying Policy based on that of the DepEd national office. 

Angara, who also authored the law during his Congress stint, emphasized the importance of maintaining schools as “safe spaces for learning and growth.”

“Ang eskuwela ay lugar ng pagkatuto, hindi ng pang-aapi. Wala dapat puwang ang bullying sa kahit anong sulok ng ating mga paaralan at lipunan,” he said.

Around 43 percent of Filipino girls and 53 percent of boys experience bullying multiple times a month, according to a 2022 report from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

According to DepEd, standard anti-bullying policies must be reviewed and updated every three years, ensuring they include school-wide prevention and intervention programs, a “clear” definition of bullying, and the implementation of appropriate disciplinary actions.

The revised IRR defines bullying more broadly, covering various forms including physical, psychological, verbal, social, cyberbullying, and gender-based harassment.

Moreover, the new guidelines establish anonymous reporting systems, emphasize the need for timely investigations, educate stakeholders and parents on bullying prevention, and require the keeping of public records of bullying cases.

A three-step disciplinary framework will also be implemented, which shall categorize incidents based on their severity, from teacher-managed minor offenses to principal-led interventions for serious cases.

DepEd also mandates each school to designate a Learner Formation Officer to provide immediate investigation and support to parties involved in incidents of bullying.

To ensure full accountability, the DepEd warned that schools that fail to implement the new anti-bullying measures will face sanctions, including the risk of suspension or revocation of operating permits in private institutions.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) lauded the education department’s efforts on anti-bullying measures. 

“With this new IRR, we commend DepEd for taking concrete steps to make sure that all of our schools are safe spaces for all learners,” EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has expressed cautious support for the revised IRR, while warning that the DepEd must still “address long-standing systemic gaps in schools.”

ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua highlighted the lack of personnel in schools, noting that the current ratio of one guidance counselor for every 14,000 students falls short of the 1:250 standard.

“Without adequate education support personnel and clear protections on workload, these new responsibilities–no matter how well-intentioned–risk being passed on to teachers who are already overburdened,” Quetua said.

The group also called on DepEd to extend protection against all forms of harassment, including political repression and red-tagging.

“DepEd must guarantee that its anti-bullying commitment extends to defending teachers and students against vilification based on their beliefs, affiliations, or advocacies,” he said.