Amid growing concerns about bullying and violence in schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) is intensifying its actions to create safer educational environments. This move follows several widely publicized incidents involving both cyberbullying and physical violence among students.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban announced a comprehensive strategy during a recent Senate hearing aimed at enhancing prevention, reporting, and response mechanisms to bullying. Central to these efforts is the introduction of the Child Protection Specialization Course, designed to empower school personnel with essential knowledge and skills for effectively managing student protection issues.
Dedicated Child Protection Specialists
The course is part of a broader initiative to appoint dedicated Child Protection Specialists within each regional and school division office. Furthermore, every school will designate at least one trained child protection officer, ensuring continuous, immediate support for student welfare at all school levels.
“These initiatives are part of our broader mission to create a learning environment where every child feels safe, supported, and respected,” Galban emphasized, highlighting DepEd’s commitment to safer, more inclusive educational spaces.
Enhanced Reporting and Response Systems
DepEd is also launching a learner ‘telesafe’ platform designed to provide real-time, culturally sensitive, and language-appropriate responses to reports of abuse and violence. Collaboration with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) has also led to revisions of the Anti-Bullying Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), set to be finalized this month.
Additionally, a new national helpline (#33733) has been established to streamline responses to school-based violence reports, ensuring quicker and more efficient interventions.
Support from Lawmakers
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, commended the new measures but stressed the importance of effective implementation and measurable outcomes. “DepEd’s initiatives are timely and necessary, but we need to see them in action in every school, especially in areas where incidents are more frequent,” Gatchalian stated.
He further advocated for the robust implementation of Republic Act 12080—the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act—which mandates mental health support, crisis response systems, and emotional assistance services within schools.
Rising Incidents Demand Action
DepEd data indicate over 79,000 recorded bullying cases from 2019 to 2022, predominantly physical bullying. Moreover, between November 2022 and April 2025, DepEd’s helpline received 1,314 reports of campus violence, including physical and cyber incidents.
Aiming for Long-term Change
These strengthened efforts reflect DepEd’s deepened commitment to creating safer school environments. The ongoing initiatives aim to establish a culture of accountability, respect, and security across Philippine educational institutions, emphasizing the welfare and mental health of all students.
