SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian has called for the full and effective implementation of Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education in schools, citing their importance in addressing bullying and violence among students.

In observance of Filipino Values Month this November, Gatchalian stressed that strengthening values formation among learners is crucial to creating safer and more respectful school environments.

He said teaching good manners and proper conduct can help shape students’ behavior, promote mutual respect, and address problems involving bullying and peer violence.

Under Republic Act No. 11476, or the GMRC and Values Education Act, which Gatchalian sponsored, GMRC is taught as a separate subject from Grades 1 to 6 and integrated into the daily learning activities of Kindergarten pupils.

Meanwhile, Values Education is taught as a separate subject from Grades 7 to 10 and integrated into the teaching of various subjects in Grades 11 and 12.

Gatchalian also underscored the need to strengthen parental involvement in preventing bullying through the Parent Effectiveness Service Program.

Established under Republic Act No. 11908, which he also authored, the program seeks to reinforce values formation by equipping parents and guardians with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide their children.

The senator emphasized that values education must be reinforced both inside and outside the classroom to nurture respectful behavior and help prevent bullying and violence among learners.