The Department of Education (DepEd) is ramping up efforts to address bullying and violence in schools through strengthened policies, expanded training, and improved reporting and protection systems, an official said Tuesday.
In response to a string of highly publicized incidents involving campus violence—including both cyberbullying and physical altercations—DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban outlined a comprehensive strategy during a Senate hearing aimed at preventing, reporting, and responding to abuse within the basic education system.
A key initiative is the rollout of the Child Protection Specialization Course, designed to give school personnel the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to better handle student protection issues. As part of this effort, every regional and division office will have dedicated Child Protection Specialists, and each school is expected to appoint at least one trained, permanent child protection officer.
“These efforts are part of our broader mission to create a learning environment where every child feels safe, supported, and respected,” said Galban, who heads DepEd’s learner support services.
Another major development is the upcoming launch of a “telesafe” platform in every region. This system aims to provide timely and culturally sensitive responses to reports of abuse or violence, ensuring accessibility for all learners.
DepEd is also working closely with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) to revise the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act, with updated guidelines expected to be completed this month.
To further strengthen the response system, the department has introduced a national helpline—#33733—dedicated to reporting school-based violence and abuse.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, welcomed the reforms but emphasized the need for consistent and effective implementation.
“These initiatives are timely and necessary, but we need to see them in action in every school—especially in areas where cases are more frequent,” Gatchalian said.
The senator also called for stronger enforcement of Republic Act 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which mandates mental health programs, crisis response systems, and emotional support services within schools.
According to DepEd data, over 79,000 cases of bullying were recorded from 2019 to 2022, with physical bullying accounting for the majority. Between November 2022 and April 2025, the department’s helpline logged 1,314 reports of campus violence, including both physical and online abuse.
