Harassment persists as ongoing issue
At Abellana National School in Cebu City, bullying remains a concern for students. Some experience verbal abuse, while others encounter physical bullying. Grade 8 student Carlyle Jay Salem stated that bullies often hurl insults on students' appearance or personal traits, while Grade 8 student Claresse T. Saldivar recounted witnessing a schoolmate visibly shaken after being made fun of.
Despite these challenges, Abellana National School has policies promoting discipline and intervention, with teachers and staff taking immediate action when bullying is observed. The school's Child Protection Policy and the Department of Education’s (DepEd) national guidelines aim to prevent and address bullying through collaborative efforts involving students, staff, and parents.
In an effort to create a safer school environment, students have suggested several strategies. Increasing supervision, organizing regular awareness activities, and forming peer support groups are key steps in improving the bullying situation at Abellana National School. Acher Heartlee Gilamon, a student at the school, emphasized the importance of increasing student awareness and encouraging open communication.
Students also advise that harsher disciplinary measures be put in place to help bullies understand the harm they cause and discourage repeat behavior. Lodia, another student, stated that stronger consequences for bullies are necessary to help them realize the harm they're causing.
Moreover, students propose awareness programs that educate students about bullying’s impact and promote respect to foster a more inclusive school culture. Peer groups can provide support to victims and help monitor bullying behavior, contributing to a safer environment.
Although anti-bullying policies are in place, the problem continues at Abellana National School. Saldivar encouraged students to be mindful of their actions, be patient, make compromises, choose friends wisely, and show more respect for others. Incidents of bullying persist in various forms, affecting students' sense of safety and comfort within the classroom.
However, the school community remains committed to addressing bullying. Lodia stated that bullying is taken seriously at Abellana National School, and guilty students are brought to the guidance office. Teachers and school administrators are encouraged to work closely with students, guidance counselors, and parents to identify patterns of bullying and respond accordingly.
While these measures are in place, students acknowledge that bullying remains a challenge and continuous effort is needed to make the school environment safer and more inclusive for all. By working together, students, staff, and parents can help create a bully-free environment where every student feels safe and valued.
[1] Data sourced from student interviews and school documents.
- The Child Protection Policy of Abellana National School, along with the Department of Education’s national guidelines, aim to promote a bully-free environment through collaboration between students, staff, and parents, focusing on education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
- Acknowledging the persistence of bullying, students have suggested various strategies for education, such as increasing supervision, organizing awareness activities, forming peer support groups, and implementing harsher disciplinary measures to curb bullying.
- Amid efforts to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for students in Cebu, there is an ongoing emphasis on educating students about the impact of bullying and fostering respect in the environment, fundamental for personal-growth and learning.
