It is high time to strengthen the mechanisms against bullying in schools, especially when such bullying involves children of wealthy or powerful individuals, Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla said on Monday.
Padilla said the current mechanism that provides for a confrontation between the victim and the bully may not be effective, as the bully may harass the victim in retaliation for reporting.
“Ito, sa aking karanasan lang. Madalas ang bullying kasi anak ng mga mayayaman, anak ng pulitiko, e natakot po banggain ng teacher. Kaya siguro po ang akin pong mungkahi amyendahan ng mahal na tagapangulo ang batas na ito, maliwanag natin doon, talagang babanggain natin itong mga ito kasi yan talaga ang bully. Walang bolahan ito, kung sino talaga ang makukulit at mayayabang yan po talaga ang may kapit (I am speaking from experience. Bullying is rampant, especially incidents involving children of politicians or wealthy parents. Teachers fear dealing with them. That is why I am for strengthening our mechanisms to deal with them – the most brazen bullies are those with connections),” said Padilla, who said he had experienced bullying, during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
“Siguro ang pinakamainam niyan magkaroon ng proseso na lihim din, huwag ang normal na proseso na ipatatawag at pahaharapin doon, di nakakatulong yan. Sa aking palagay dapat po baguhin ang ganoong klaseng proseso dahil sa katapusan ng araw ang maiiwan uli doon sa paaralan ang estudyante. Ang magulang at principal babalik doon sa opisina niya. Ang magkikita sa corridor, minsan sa CR ang banatan diyan eh, ay silang dalawa lang at ang grupo. Kaya sa akin magkaroon lang ng tamang proseso sa reporting (It is best to have a process that allows anonymity, not just the normal process. At the end of the day, after the parents and principal go back to their offices, they bullies will likely wait for the victim and harass him/her at the corridor or the restroom),” he added.
Padilla also said authorities should concentrate on addressing mental bullying, especially since more youths have access to smartphones and the internet. He said this may open the door to 24/7 bullying online.
He said this is in contrast to some cases of “bullying” without violent and criminal intention, which he said may be considered beneficial to the social development of a child. “Challenges and Survival 101 is an everyday practice for a child,” he said.
In pushing for strengthening the mechanisms against bullying, Padilla noted the bullies are likely already known to school management even without formal complaints against them. “Di naman nalilihim yan (They cannot be kept a secret),” he said.
He added reporting these bullies using the current reporting system cannot be effective because there would be mental bullying on the victim after he/she reports the incidents.
Source: http://www.senate.gov.ph
