DepEd, partners gang up against bullying in schools

The Department of Education has found an ally in Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) in its fight against bullying in schools.

 JBEC, in cooperation with Solar Entertainment, has brought the acclaimed documentary “Bully” to the Philippines and no less than Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC has graced its premiere last night, November 13, 6:30 PM, at Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 4.


“It is important for us to stand up against bullying in schools. Enough is enough,” said Luistro before the screening of the film.

Luistro, who disclosed that he himself had been bullied when he was in Grade 4, noted that bullying is everywhere and its solution depends on how we act about it. “There is a bully in you and me but the solution will depend on how we address and overcome the bully in us, on how we allow the bullies around us to take advantage of us.”

The film, which was directed by Lee Hirsch, focuses on the alarming rise in bullying faced by teenage students in America. It chronicles various cases of bullying in high schools in Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma, which two of the cases tragically ended in suicide.

Meanwhile, Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, JBEC chair, hopes this campaign will lead schools to adopt a pro-active stance against bullying, with each stakeholder committing and contributing to a nurturing and bully-free school environment that is the right of every student.

“We hope this movie can reach as wide an audience as possible, especially among our students,” Go said. “At the very least, it should heighten awareness of this issue and begin productive discussions and reflections about a real problem that can no longer be ignored.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot presented DepEd’s Child Protection Policy and reiterated that “to stop bullying, we have to act now because for our children, it may be too late.”

JBEC will use this powerful documentary to launch the anti-bullying campaign, “Not in Our School,” endorsed by the popular sportsman, Chris Tiu. The advocacy is aligned with the DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2012 or the “Child Protection Policy.” This seeks to defend the student from any form of abuse, including bullying. In light of recent local and international headlines about bullying, this film can be a timely wake-up call for all involved: parents, teachers, administrators, and especially students.

In addition to its theatrical screening, JBEC is offering several Saturday block screenings in Robinson’s Galleria for schools who want to show the film exclusively for their community. In addition, schools can also sponsor campus screenings for a minimal fee. To enhance its use as a formative tool, JBEC will provide teachers and parents with a discussion guide to facilitate processing of the complex message of the movie. (PRESS RELEASE)