REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10627   AN ACT REQUIRING ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ADOPT POLICIES TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS THE ACTS OF BULLYING IN THEIR INSTITUTIONS

Date of effectivity of the Act - October 4, 2013 Date of implementation - January 2, 2014 (90 days after publication)

COVERAGE: Public and private 1. Kindergarten 2. Elementary 3. Secondary Schools 4. Learning Centers

“Bullying” includes: 1. social bullying: belittling another individual or group 2. gender-based bullying: bullying on the basis of perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity

Cyber-bullying includes: Texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social media, online games

• Learning center defined as facilities for learning programs for out-of-school youth and adults Schools to have prevention program that is comprehensive, multi-faceted, and shall involve all education stakeholders and personnel. This may contain: 1. Positive school climate/environment 2. Periodic assessment and monitoring of bullying behaviors

3. Periodic review of manual of conduct for both 3. Periodic review of manual of conduct for both students and personnel, in relation to bullying 4. Activities on the issue for students, personnel and service providers

• Personnel development • Coordination with LGUs and other stakeholders • Classroom initiatives • Activities involving parents

• Schools to have intervention programs to ensure continuity of policies. These may include: 1. Corrective and preventive, rather than punitive, measures 2. Intake Sheet to be accomplished by schools whenever there is an incident of bullying

3. Anti-Bullying policy may be part of the schools’ already established child protection policy 4. Schools to submit reports prescribed in IRR

• Students have a duty to intervene to protect the victim, unless the same jeopardizes their safety/security • Students, like teachers, have a duty to report incidents of bullying • The Child Protection Committee (CPC) established by DepEd Order 40 shall also be the Anti-Bullying Committee

Composition of the Anti-Bullying Committee: 1 Composition of the Anti-Bullying Committee: 1. School Head/Admin-Chair 2. Guidance Counselor/Teacher-Vice Chair 3. Rep of teachers designated by faculty 4. Rep of parents as designated by PTA 5. Rep of students, except in kinder, as designated by student council-optional for private schools 6. Rep from community as designated by Punong Barangay, preferably from the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC)

JURISDICTION FOR COMPLAINTS OF BULLYING AND OTHER ACTS UNDER THE IRR: Exclusive: DepEd or private school and not subject to barangay settlement

Procedures must include: • Immediate responses-ANYONE who has personal knowledge must immediately call the attention of ANY school personnel • School personnel once notified is expected to intervene: • Stop the bullying immediately • Remove students from harm and provide medical attention if needed • Bring the bully to the Guidance Office or designated personnel

• Anonymous reporting to be entertained • Person reporting to be afforded protection

Fact-finding and documentation: Designated school official to: 1 Fact-finding and documentation: Designated school official to: 1. Interview parties involved separately 2. Assess threat level, devise I ntervention strategies 3. Inform parents of both parties of the steps to be taken 4. Make recommendations to CPC 5. CPC to determine the intervention programs for parties

• Schools may refer parties to trained professionals outside the school • Disciplinary measures must be according to nature, gravity of the bullying and attendant circumstances • Due process must be observed • Community service may be a form of punishment if the same is in the rules and regulations of the school • CPC supervises the intervention programs

False accusation of bullying also to be sanctioned On due process: Student and his parents to be informed IN WRITING of the complaint Student to be given the opportunity to answer with assistance of parents/guardians Decision of the school head shall be IN WRITING, stating the basis thereof School head’s decision may be appealed to Division Office of DepEd False accusation of bullying also to be sanctioned

• Bullying incidents are confidential and breach thereof by school personnel is likewise sanctioned • All schools covered to submit a copy of their anti-bullying policy to the Division Office within 6 MONTHS FROM EFFECTIVITY OF IRR (around June this year) (IRR signed December 13, 2013) • Private schools who fail to comply with law and IRR will be given notice of such failure. They shall be given 30 days to comply. Max 1 month extension allowed in meritorious cases.