SENATE Committee on Basic Education chairman Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that bullying is also a very big issue in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA results.

Gatchalian said bullying remains to be a major concern in the education sector in the country.

“In other words, another issue that we need to look at and address is the cases of bullying because it affects the learner performance and learner outcome,” said Gatchalian.

The senator also presented data showing the effects of bullying on students’ math scores which is clear evidence that bullying affects students depending on how often it occurs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gladys Nivera, Dean of the College of Teacher Development at the Philippine Normal University, reminded the education stakeholders that sometimes bullies are the parents, friends and teachers and not just naughty classmates.

“I think it’s high time to raise these issues and become sensitive to them. We must put a stop to it and we also have to teach the teachers to spot these cases and stress that it is not funny. These are cases of teachers who are bullies themselves,” Nivera said.

For their part, Education Assistant Secretary Alma Torio said they are now strengthening their Learners Rights Protection Office and also reviewing their child protection policy.

Torio also confirmed they are now crafting a peace education program and continuously working to enhance their programs covering values education.