Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
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School-Based Anti-Bullying Policy

I - Title: School Policy on Bullying

II - Introduction/Rationale

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL is located at Barangay Cato, Infanta

Pangasinan. The school has 33 teachers including the School Head. All students are from
different Barangay’s near Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan.
Majority of the parents are fishermen and farmers. Most families are living in an
indigent house with more than 3 children. Waking very early in the morning to fish or to farm
and going home late in the afternoon is the daily routine/scenario of every family. This
situation results in a lack of supervision by the parents to their children in terms of academic
and behavior. The students are lack of follow-up because their parents are already tired to do
so.
The community is full of persuasion. The presence of video games, videoke
machines, gambling, alcohol and cigarettes, and even cell phone sometimes influence the
negative habits and behaviors of the children. The children are often loitering because their
parents are out for the whole day to find ways for their living.
Sadly, there are many instances of bullying. Although these are just minimal cases
and can be controlled by the teachers and School Head, still there’s a need for the schools to
adopt policies in order to prevent and address the acts of bullying in a respective institution.
Therefore this paper is a response to said law.

III- Statement of Policy

Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, the state shall defend the right of the children to
assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of
neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development
(Article XV, Section 3{2}).
Article VIII, Section 2 of the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers clearly states
that the teacher or school official should deal justly and impartially with every students
intellectual ability, social standing, favors received from them or their parents, should have
no place in the relations between a school official or teacher and his pupils or students.
Republic Act No. 9262, Section 2 hereby declared that the state values the dignity of
women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State also recognizes
the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children from
violence and threats to their personal safety and security.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) aims to protect children from all
forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment,
maltreatment and exploitation, including sexual abuse. The same Convention establishes the
right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively, and on
the basis of equal opportunity, it obliges the government to take measures to encourage
regular attendance in school and reduce drop-out rates. Thus, it is mandated that all
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Infanta District
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
Web page: http://catonhs.com/ Mobile: 09093652644/ 09209582563 fb: DepEd Tayo Cato National High school 300189
appropriate measures be undertaken to ensure that school discipline is administered in a
manner consistent with the child’s human dignity, and in conformity with the CRC.
DepEd has adopted the policy to provide special protection to children who are
gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances which affect their normal development
and over which they have no control, and to assist the concerned agencies in their
rehabilitation.
The Department aims to ensure such special protection from all forms of abuse and
exploitation and care as is necessary for the child’s well-being, taking into account the
primary rights and duties of parents, legal guardians, or other individuals who are legally
responsible and exercise custody over the child. The DepEd reiterates a zero tolerance policy
for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other forms of
abuse I DepEd Order No. 40, s.2012, Sec.2).
House No. 5496 known as the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2012” is a n act requiring all
elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address the acts of
bullying in their institutions. Sec. 2 of this Acts states that “bullying” shall refer to any
severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression,
or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has
the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional
harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other
student; infringing on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially
disrupting the education process or orderly operation of a school.
The children’s welfare is always given considerations in all decisions and actions of
the school. It ensures that learners acquire the best and quality education that they need. It
seeks to provide a safe, conducive place for learning. Therefore, the school is proposing to
adopt this policy to address the bullying problems between the pupils.

IV- Definition of Terms

A. “Bullying” – refers to an act or series of acts directed by a student towards another student
in a
school setting that has the effect of humiliation, harassment, fear of physical or
emotional harm or damage to his property, intimidation, and physical and
mental
abuse. Such acts may consist of any one or more of the following:
1. Any unwanted physical violence between the bully and the bullied like punching,
pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling headlocks, inflicting school pranks, fighting,
pinching, throwing things at the pupil, or other similar acts.
2. Any act that cause damage to a victim’s psyche and /or emotional well-being.
3. Verbal or no-verbal abuse like teasing, slanderous statement or accusation, name-
calling, tormenting, commenting negatively on victim’s looks, clothes and body, and
public humiliation tending to cause dishonor.
4. Cyber-bullying or any conduct resulting in harassment, intimidation or humiliation,
through electronic means or other technology.

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Infanta District
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
Web page: http://catonhs.com/ Mobile: 09093652644/ 09209582563 fb: DepEd Tayo Cato National High school 300189
B. “Children”- refers to bonafide pupils or learners who are enrolled in the school whether
regular,
irregular,, transferee or repeater, including those who have been temporarily out
of
school, who are in the school or learning centers premises or participating in
school
sanction activities.
C. Teachers-persons responsible for teaching-learning process, who are occupying supervisory,
positions or positions of responsibility and are involved in policy formulation or
implementation in a school whether permanent, substitute, contractual or
volunteer.
D. Administrators- refers to the chief executive officer of a school such as a principal, Head
Teacher or Teacher-in-Charge.
E. Other School Personnel – includes all other non-academic personnel in the school whatever
maybe the nature of their appointment and status of employment.
F. Parents- means the biological parents, step-parents, adoptive parents and the common-law
spouse or partner of the pare.
G. Guardians – refers to legal guardians, poster parents, and other persons including relatives
or
even non- relatives who have physical custody of the child.

V. Duties and Responsibilities

The following persons shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Child- Protection Committee
1. Conduct activities that will address the bullying problems.
2. Initiate information dissemination programs for the protection of children from abuse.
3. Render assistance to parents or guardians wherever necessary in securing guidance
counseling.
4. Coordinate with the local DSWD or other appropriate government or non-government
agency regarding bullying cases.
5. Educate parents and guardians about the dynamics of bullying, anti-bullying policies of
the school and how parents and guardians can provide support and reinforce such
policies at home.
B. Teachers
1. Exercise special parental authority and responsibility over the child while under their
supervision, instruction and custody.
2. Educate and instruct pupils by right perception and good example.
3. Devote them love, affection, proper care, advice, companionship and understanding.
4. Inculcate the value of respect onto pupils’ mind.
C. School Head and Guidance Counselor

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Infanta District
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
Web page: http://catonhs.com/ Mobile: 09093652644/ 09209582563 fb: DepEd Tayo Cato National High school 300189
1. Ensure that the school adopts a bullying policy.
2. Ensure that pupils, school personnel, parents or guardians are made aware of bullying
policy.
3. Organize a Child-Protection Committee for the school.
4. Organize and conduct the capacity building activities for members of the CPC.
5. Conduct disciplinary proceedings in cases of offenses committed by pupils.
6. Maintain a record of all proceedings related to bullying.
D. PTA, School Governing Council and Barangay Officials
1. Conduct an information dissemination and campaign on the prevention of bullying.
2. Support the capacity building activities for the Child Protection Committee.
3. Support the implementation of zero bullying policy in school.
E. Pupils or Learners
1. Comply with the school’s regulation as long as they are in harmony with their best
interest.
2. Refrain from doing inappropriate acts in school.
3. Observe the Code of Conduct for pupils and learners.
4. Follow strictly the bullying policy of the school.
5.

VI- Preventive Measures:

The following are programs that will help prevent bullying from the school:
A. Advocacy – inform or educate the pupils or learners, parents or guardians, school personnel and
barangay officials about the effects of bullying through Homeroom PTA Meeting,
General PTA Assembly, barangay session and barangay assembly.
B. Training, Orientation or Seminar- conduct a seminar on the kinds of bullying, it’s effect, the
persons
involved and the responsibilities of concerned person regarding bullying problems.
Parenting session should be included in seminar as to inform them about the proper
ways of preventing bullying among children.
C. Giving of Rewards- organize and conduct a contest or search for most discipline family in the
community, give them awards and show them to the public and lead them as a good
example.
D. Capacity– building programs for administrator, teachers and other school personnel and
members
of Child Protection Committee (CPC) focused on children’s rights.
E. Family counseling especially for the parents or guardians about the duties and responsibilities in
handling behavioral problems of children.

VII- Protective Measures

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Infanta District
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
Web page: http://catonhs.com/ Mobile: 09093652644/ 09209582563 fb: DepEd Tayo Cato National High school 300189
Procedures in Handling Bullying Incidents in Schools
Upon the filing of complaint or upon notice by a school personnel of any bullying
incident it shall be immediately reported to the School Head, who shall inform the parents or
guardian of the bully and the bullied in a meeting called for the purpose. The bullied child as
well as the offending child shall be referred to the Child Protection Committee for counseling
and other interventions. The penalty of reprimand may be imposed by the School Head in the
presence of the parents or guardians.
If the bullying still committed for a second time, after the offending child has received
counseling or other interventions, the penalty of suspension may be imposed by the School
Head if warranted. During the period of suspension, the offending child together with the
parents or guardians may be required to attend further seminars and counseling. The School
Head shall likewise ensure that the appropriate interventions, counseling and other services
are provided for the victim or victims of bullying.
If the bullying resulted in serious physical injuries or death, the case shall be dealt
with in accordance with the provision of our National Law and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations.

VIII- Rules and Procedures in Handling Bullying Cases in School

A. Conduct Investigation – The conduct of investigation of cases of bullying shall be done

promptly to measure the degree of incidence or gravity of the act and its consequences.
1. The teachers should act as quickly as possible. He/ she should respond immediately
regarding the incidence. Report the bullying problem to the School Head and call the
attention of the parents or guardian of the victim and the offender.
2. Parents or guardians of the victim and of the offender shall have a one-on-one
conference, talk things between their children and decide what to do regarding the
problem. In case of complaint a parent or guardian shall communicate with the School
Head.
3. The School Head or Guidance Counselor upon receipt of the complaint shall forward the
same within twenty-four (24) hours to the School Protection Committee who shall then
issue an order for the conduct of a fact- finding investigation not later than forty-eight
(48) hours from submission. These periods shall be strictly observed, except when
justified by circumstances beyond their control.
4. If in case exists based on a thorough investigation, the CPC shall be issued a formal
charge or a sanction on the offending child depending in the degree of bullying incident.
a. reprimand – if the offender did it once and has a slight effect on the victim.
b. suspension – if the offender did it again after attending counseling sessions and
seminars.
c. expulsion from the school- if bullying results in serious physical injury or death.
5. The Local DSWD officer shall assess the child and provide psychological intervention to
help the child victim recover from trauma as a result of the abuse. The offender shall
likewise undergo psychosocial intervention.

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Infanta District
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan
Web page: http://catonhs.com/ Mobile: 09093652644/ 09209582563 fb: DepEd Tayo Cato National High school 300189
IX- Referrals

All bullying cases shall be referring to the School Head or Guidance Counselor. In
case of physical injury refer the victim to the School Clinic Teacher then to the Hospital in
case of major damages. The offending child and victim’s family shall be informed of any
action taken.

X- Reporting

The teacher shall record the bullying incident on the anecdotal record of the child.
Submit immediately a narrative report of the incident to the School Head who shall report the
same to the Schools Division Superintendent.

Prepared by:

HAZEL JUNE M. SANTOS

Teacher / Guidance Designate
Noted by:

Ruben E. Lao,
Ed.D.
Principal IV

CATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Infanta District